Singer-songwriter Christopher Cross used a Toronto concert to sharply criticise President Trump, calling him "an asshole" and apologising to the Canadian audience amid rising tensions between the two countries. The "Sailing" star made the comments during a stop on his North American tour with Toto at the RBC Amphitheatre, opening with a reference to Martin Luther King Jr's "I Have a Dream" speech before addressing the crowd directly, saying he was "embarrassed" by the president and urging Canadians not to give up on America.

Cross's remarks come as Trump has escalated hostility towards Canada, including signing an executive order to rename Lake Ontario "Lake America," imposing a 50% tariff on $20 billion of Canadian goods, and describing Canadian officials as "nasty people." Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney publicly rebuffed the lake-renaming move, noting the name Lake Ontario predates both nations, while several Canadian provinces have banned US liquor sales in response to the tariffs. Cross joked he expected to be "ejected" from America for his comments as he continues the 32-date tour.