If you’ve been following Young Doug Ford, you’ll know it’s a mix of satire, nostalgia, and current events seen through the lens of 1970s southern Ontario. The series is rooted in hazy childhood memories, like yo-yo salesmen dazzling kids on the playground—a phenomenon that feels more surreal the longer I think about it. As I drew this edition, I put out a call on Facebook to confirm I wasn’t imagining these yo-yo hustlers, and I was relived to find confirmation in the responses.

Some shared vivid memories of nuns or principals storming out to shoo away the intruders. Others recounted yo-yo demonstrations in school auditoriums or parks, where tricks like Walking the Dog or Rocking the Baby sparked brief playground crazes. One person even remembered a motivational speaker in the 21st century bringing yo-yos back for a fleeting moment of glory. And then there was the inevitable Simpsons comparison—a testament to how these episodes straddle nostalgia and absurdity.

This edition of Young Doug Ford draws directly from these memories, blending them with Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s threat to cut electricity exports if Trump’s proposed tariffs on Canadian goods go through. It’s a wild strategy—half bluff, half bold move—that echoes Trump’s own blustering style. The strip imagines Young Doug confronting a yo-yo-slinging Trump in a schoolyard showdown, warning him to pack up and leave or risk losing his power (quite literally).

It’s a playful take, but it speaks to how these childhood scenes of power and defiance echo in the adult world. Were you a yo-yo kid? Do you think Ford’s energy threat is clever brinkmanship or a risky gamble? And seriously, do you remember yo-yo salesmen invading your schoolyard? Drop me a line—I’d love to know how far this shared memory goes.

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