Trumps US-Ukraine Spending Lies and Misinformation
Canada News Feb.19
Nightly News Update
Trump’s Misinformation on Ukraine War Funding
Donald Trump made an inaccurate claim on Truth Social and in conversations with reporters over the past 24 hours regarding U.S. spending on the Ukraine-Russia war. Trump alleged that the U.S. has contributed $350 billion to Ukraine—a claim that is demonstrably false.
The U.S. government’s official tracking website reports that $183 billion has been allocated for Ukraine-related efforts. Meanwhile, the Kiel Institute, which tracks global aid to Ukraine, estimates that U.S. spending is closer to $114 billion. Where Trump is getting the $350 billion figure remains unclear.
Additionally, while Trump claims that the U.S. has outspent everyone else, all credible sources indicate that Europe and Canada have collectively spent more than the U.S. and have also committed more long-term funding to Ukraine’s defense.
Another false claim from Trump concerns Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s approval rating. Trump suggests that Zelensky’s support among Ukrainians has dropped to just 4%, but all recent polling indicates that his approval remains between 50-56%. While support has declined from the early days of the war, this is still far above Trump’s misleading claim.
To be clear, holding a free and fair election in Ukraine right now would be extremely difficult, given that millions of Ukrainians are displaced, parts of the country face frequent power outages, and it remains an active war zone.
Canada Announces High-Speed Rail Project
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced today that Canada is officially moving forward with a high-speed rail network in the Toronto-Quebec City corridor.
This ambitious rail project, named Alto, will span approximately 1,000 km and reach speeds of up to 300 km/h. Planned stops include Toronto, Peterborough, Ottawa, Montréal, Laval, Trois-Rivières, and Quebec City. Once operational, travel times will be cut in half, allowing passengers to travel from Montréal to Toronto in just three hours.
This marks a major step forward in modernizing Canada’s transportation infrastructure, aligning it more closely with the high-speed rail systems in Europe and Asia.
Liberals Gaining Ground: A Carney-led Majority?
For those wondering if public opinion has shifted in favor of the Liberals and Mark Carney, the latest poll suggests a significant tightening race.
According to Angus Reid’s latest federal vote intention poll, the Liberals are now nearly tied with the Conservatives. If this upward trend continues, the possibility of a Liberal majority government is growing.
Pollsters suggest that if Carney becomes the Liberal leader, he is likely to call an election immediately, potentially capitalizing on growing momentum and a weakened Conservative strategy under Pierre Poilievre.
Canada’s Military Relations with the U.S. Remain Strong Despite Trump’s Rhetoric
Canada’s top military commander, General Jennie Carignan, reassured the public today that Canada-U.S. military relations remain strong, despite Donald Trump’s repeated threats to annex Canada.
Carignan emphasized that political rhetoric has not impacted military-to-military cooperation, and both forces continue to collaborate closely as partners. The longstanding defense relationship between Canada and the U.S. remains intact, ensuring continued joint operations and NATO commitments.
Thanks for reading. I’m a young and independent journalist. Passionate about politics, Canada, and a better world for all. Consider supporting my work with a paid subscription.