In 2025, Canadian costume businesses note a decline in the humor of dressing up as Donald Trump for Halloween. Christy Greenwood, owner of Theatre Garage in Edmonton, mentions that the trend of Trump costumes has faded, attributing it to the political climate. Previously, during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, there was a surge in demand for Trump-themed costumes, including the iconic blond wig and orange makeup resembling his skin tone.
However, interest in Trump costumes began to wane after he took office, with public sentiment in Canada turning more negative during his second term. The suggestion that Canada should become a U.S. state, along with economic pressures, further soured views on Trump. Consequently, in Hamilton, where the steel industry was affected by Trump’s tariffs, inquiries for Trump costumes significantly decreased.
Catriona Cameron from Theatrix in Hamilton notes the diminishing requests for Trump wigs, with customers now showing more interest in dressing up as Mounties instead. The shift in preferences is evident as some customers even opt to remove American flag motifs from costumes, replacing them with Canadian symbols.
At Theatre Garage in Edmonton, shoppers express disinterest in Trump costumes, citing oversaturation and a desire to move away from political themes. While some, like Stephanie Labute, find humor in impersonating Trump, others like Niamh Dower prefer to avoid political costumes altogether. Dan Sims comments on the ease of impersonating Trump’s distinctive appearance but acknowledges the sensitivity of the topic.
Greenwood observes a general decline in demand for U.S. celebrity costumes, including classic rock band Kiss and Katy Perry, despite her connection to former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Instead, customers are opting for traditional Halloween costumes like clowns and vampires. Greenwood also notes a trend of supporting Canadian industries, with customers showing interest in locally made products.
Overall, the 2025 Halloween season reflects a shift towards classic and non-political costume choices, emphasizing escapism and a preference for Canadian-made products among consumers.
