Danielle Smith’s fight against Trump tariffs takes her to right-wing non-profit PragerU gala

In a passionate speech in the legislature this week, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith accused the Mark Carney Liberals of wanting her and Alberta to “just sit down and shut up.” She expressed her frustration with the lack of support from the new Liberal leader and his party in her efforts to reach out to Trump-friendly conservatives amidst the looming threat of a U.S. trade war.

While the Carney Liberals have not publicly discouraged Smith from engaging with conservatives in the U.S., they have made a partisan ad out of her comments about Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre being “in sync” with President Donald Trump. Undeterred by the lack of support, Smith embarked on a trip to Florida for a speaking engagement, determined to change the hearts and minds of Americans to avoid a trade war.

One of the highlights of Smith’s trip was her appearance at a $1,500 US-a-ticket gala fundraiser for the Prager University Foundation, a conservative non-profit organization known for producing educational videos and materials that combat “woke themes and anti-American sentiment” in schools. Smith hoped that her speech at this fundraiser would somehow influence Trump to drop tariffs against Canada.

During her visit, Smith also appeared on a podcast hosted by Marissa Streit, the CEO of PragerU. This platform provided Smith with an opportunity to engage with conservative audiences and promote her message of avoiding a trade war with the U.S. The premier’s presence at the fundraiser and podcast recording is expected to be posted online by PragerU in the coming days.

PragerU has a history of hosting right-leaning events and producing content that aligns with conservative values. The organization has been successful in reaching young audiences through its informative videos and lesson plans, and has faced criticism for its portrayal of certain issues, including Canadian health care and American history.

Despite the controversies surrounding PragerU, Smith saw an opportunity to engage with conservative Americans and potentially influence Trump’s decision on tariffs. By entering the lion’s den of conservative fundraisers and podcasts, Smith aimed to make a compelling case for Canada and Alberta’s interests in the face of a potential trade war.

As the premier’s spokesperson noted, Smith’s taxpayer-funded trip with her entourage of aides may yield positive outcomes for Alberta and Canada. By leveraging platforms like PragerU and engaging with conservative voices like Ben Shapiro, Smith demonstrated her commitment to protecting Canadian interests and fostering positive relationships with American allies.