Trudeau's former aid and longtime friend Gerry Butts says he has contacted his lawyers after a bout of words on Twitter with Dr. Jordan Peterson.
“I gave Dr. Peterson three chances and a week to clean up his own room,” said Butts via Twitter on Wednesday “He declined, so he’ll be hearing from my legal counsel shortly. All proceeds after legal fees will be donated to shelters for women fleeing abuse in Ottawa.”
I gave Dr Peterson three chances and a week to clean up his own room. He declined, so he’ll be hearing from my legal counsel shortly. All proceeds after legal fees will be donated to shelters for women fleeing abuse in Ottawa. https://t.co/NJC0DgGcBB
— Gerald Butts (@gmbutts) February 9, 2022
The legal action comes after Peterson called Butts "corrupt," something that Butts says uses his "former public office dishonestly for personal gain."
Butts, who was at that time the most senior staffer in Trudeau's inner circle, resigned as Trudeau's principal secretary amid allegations stemming from the SNC-Lavalin scandal. "At all times, I and those around me acted with integrity and a singular focus on the best interests of all Canadians," Butts said after resigning.
The disagreement started after Butts said that the "MAGA wing of the Conservative movement in Canada... staged a hostile takeover" of Ottawa and Edmonton.
"You are a stunningly corrupt and incendiary fool @gmbutts and the story will be the cowardice of your leader @JustinTrudeau and the lies of your damnable lying calumnous cronies," Peterson responded.
Butts then said he would "give" Peterson a "time limited" opportunity to "rethink" the tweet.
“I’ve been threatened by people a lot more terrifying and able than you @gmbutts and your calumnious compatriots. So watch yourself and your loose mouth," said Peterson.
Butts replied, “At least you spelled calumnious right this time. But calling me 'corrupt' is accusing me of the crime of using my former public office dishonestly for personal gain. That’s defamatory. Perhaps you’re not aware of that, so I’ll give you another chance to retract and apologize.”
Peterson responded: “Is it? I meant nothing of that sort. I called you corrupt for your inflammatory and careless comments, accusing those Canadians who oppose your views of MAGA sympathies and the prejudices you feel accompany that. But if the shoe fits, Mr. Butts, you’re welcome to wear it.”