Gad Saad, a controversial evolutionary psychologist and media personality, has criticized what he calls "suicidal empathy," a term he uses to describe progressive policies he views as self-destructive. In recent commentary, Saad expresses admiration for President Trump, positioning him as a counterforce to what he characterizes as excessive empathy in Western politics.
Saad's framework argues that certain liberal approaches to immigration, social policy, and cultural accommodation prioritize compassion in ways that ultimately harm Western societies. He frames Trump as the antidote to this dynamic, citing the former president's more restrictive immigration stance and nationalist rhetoric.
Saad, who left Montreal for the United States, uses his departure as evidence supporting his thesis about declining conditions in Canada under progressive governance. He has built a media presence criticizing what he calls "woke" ideology and left-wing social policies, positioning himself as a voice warning against civilization-level risks he associates with progressive priorities.
The concept of "suicidal empathy" remains outside mainstream political discourse and draws criticism from academics who argue Saad mischaracterizes progressive policy motivations. Scholars dispute his framing that empathy-based policies inherently destroy societies, pointing instead to countries like Denmark and Germany that maintain both robust social safety nets and strong economies.
Trump's administration has not formally embraced Saad's terminology, though its policies on immigration restriction and skepticism toward international commitments align with Saad's stated preferences. Whether Trump and his team can "turn the tables" on progressive policies, as Saad hopes, depends on legislative outcomes in Congress and the political landscape's evolution over coming years.
Saad's migration narrative reflects broader conservative arguments about quality-of-life decline in progressive-governed regions, though data on comparative well-being between U.S. and Canadian cities presents a mixed picture that complicates his fr