Trudeau Takes Aim at ‘Manosphere’ During Melbourne Event

“They are douche bags … evil and so insecure.”
— Justin Trudeau on proponents of the manosphere

MELBOURNE — Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau used a public appearance in Melbourne on April 25, 2026, to sharply criticize the “manosphere,” a collection of online communities known for promoting misogynistic and ultra-conservative views.

The Event

The discussion took place at Mecca’s Bourke Street store, where Trudeau sat down with journalist Leigh Sales and his former chief of staff Katie Telford. The conversation turned to the influence of toxic masculinity when Ben Vasiliou, CEO of the mental health charity The Man Cave, asked about the impact of “strong man” archetypes on young men.

Trudeau did not hold back. He described proponents of the manosphere as “douche bags” and “evil and so insecure,” accusing them of deliberately exploiting social media algorithms to polarize and profit from vulnerable young men.

A Broader Critique of Patriarchy

“The patriarchy harms both women and young men. Boys are victims of this system.”
— Trudeau on systemic harm

Trudeau argued that young men are being fed destructive content designed to radicalize them, and he noted his own concerns as a father of two sons who are exposed to such material online.

Defending a Legacy

During his tenure as prime minister, Trudeau made gender equality a hallmark of his government. He established Canada’s first gender-balanced cabinet and introduced a national affordable childcare program. While critics on the far right have labeled his government a “feminist hellscape,” Trudeau dismissed accusations that his gender-balanced cabinet undermined meritocracy.

Melbourne Itinerary

Trudeau’s visit to Melbourne included:

• Attending the Women Deliver summit
• A planned visit to an AFL match between Collingwood and Essendon

He revealed that his girlfriend, pop star Katy Perry, provided him with insights into Australian rules football after her performance at the 2024 AFL Grand Final.

When asked about a potential political memoir, Trudeau said he has no immediate plans to write one, preferring instead to engage directly in public events and conversations.