Former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau and pop star Katy Perry drew criticism online after being seen drinking from plastic cups during a weekend appearance at Coachella.
Footage shared on social media showed the two holding red plastic cups while attending the music festival in Indio, California. The images circulated widely, with users referencing Trudeau’s role in pushing restrictions on single-use plastics during his time in office.
“Remember when Justin Trudeau banned plastic bags and straws for Canadians to ‘save the planet’? Now he’s posting pics using solo cups. Rules for thee, but not for me,” one post read.
Another said, “This a-hole is drinking out of a plastic cup after banning them for the entire country.”
Trudeau had led Canada’s move to restrict certain single-use plastics beginning in 2019 as part of environmental policy efforts. The rules cover items such as plastic bags and straws, but do not apply to all plastic cups.
“Justin Trudeau, Jun. 10, 2019: I’m banning Canadians from using single-use plastics. Justin Trudeau, Apr. 12, 2026: Look at me smash booze from a solo cup at Coachella,” another post stated.
Trudeau stepped down as prime minister in early 2025. He later went public with his relationship with Perry in October following his separation from Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau.
