Chess grand master plays one word response over Trump comparison
Garry Kasparov’s dry reply followed Trump’s awkward Oval Office exchange with Canada’s new prime minister.
President Donald Trump’s comparison to a chess grandmaster didn’t go unnoticed. Or unchecked.
The meeting was always potentially going to be awkward. On one side: Trump, newly reinstated in the Oval Office after his return to power just over 100 days ago. On the other: Mark Carney, Canada’s freshly elected prime minister, better known for central banking than small talk, although he is rather good with words.
President Trump, "We don't do much business with Canada"
— Farrukh (@implausibleblog) May 6, 2025
PM Mark Carney, "Canada is the largest client of the United States"
Trump fact-checked in real time 👏 pic.twitter.com/xudjoXsaGT
Trump’s Canada dream “never” ends
The idea was once again floated of the USA “buying” Canada - something he’s brought up before, and something the Canadian government has consistently and flatly rejected.
“As a real estate developer, you know, I’m a real estate developer at heart,” Trump said, gesturing vaguely. “When you get rid of that artificially drawn line... it’s just a beautiful formation.”
Carney didn’t flinch. “There are some places that are never for sale,” he replied. “And we’re sitting in one.”
He also reminded Trump that Canada’s electorate – the “owners,” in his phrasing - had already made clear their stance during the campaign. “It’s not for sale, it won’t be for sale, ever,” Carney said. “The opportunity is in the partnership.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney shut down Trump’s dream of acquiring Canada faster than Trump could say “51st state” pic.twitter.com/Xlpueck31X
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) May 7, 2025
Trump, unbothered, ended the moment with: “But I say, never say never.”
Trump vs Kasparov
That didn’t stop his former senior advisor Stephen Miller from spinning the moment as a strategic masterpiece. “It was like watching a grand master in chess perform,” Miller told Fox News, prompting a flurry of online reactions.
Please. https://t.co/1N62T1plvf
— Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) May 7, 2025
And then came the post. One word. From a man who knows chess better than anyone: “Please,” wrote Garry Kasparov.
No board. No clock. Just a move that ended the game for anyone who can see through the sycophancy. Can you imagine?
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