Social media users have circulated a video featuring Scarlett Gillespie, a candidate for mayor in Hamilton, Ontario, as she interacts with a sock puppet. Some claims suggest she needs it to communicate, often mixed with transphobic and derogatory remarks. However, Gillespie confirmed to AFP that the clip is from a comedy show where other participants also used puppets — an item she doesn’t typically use, as shown in videos from her other speaking events.
“Meet Scarlett Gillespie, a candidate for mayor in Hamilton, Ontario,” says the caption of a June 28, 2026 video shared on X by the well-known US account Libs of Tik Tok, shortly before posting an anti-LGBTQ statement targeting Canada that AFP has since debunked.
In this clip, Gillespie is seen with the puppet discussing her decision to run for mayor. The Libs of Tik Tok post criticized Gillespie’s transgender identity and suggested she relies on the puppet for all her speeches.
The footage quickly spread across X, Instagram, Facebook, and Tik Tok and was shared by many accounts with large followings like Canada Proud, a right-wing political influence group.
Some captions claimed that Gillespie needed the puppet to speak publicly while others linked it to her being transgender or implied it indicated unseriousness in Canadian politics — points frequently raised by influencers associated with former US President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement when discussing Canada.
Screenshot of an X post taken June 30, 2026
Gillespie announced her bid for mayor of Hamilton – located on Lake Ontario southwest of Toronto – back in March 2026. Her previous work advocating for tenant and sex worker rights gave her campaign significant attention amidst competition from both the current mayor and a city councillor.
However, Gillespie clarified to AFP on June 30 that the video featuring her with the puppet actually comes from a comedy event held by Uncloseted Comedy at Staircase Theater in Hamilton on June 13.
During the video presentation, Gillespie mentioned answering questions submitted by audience members which were sometimes challenging; hence the introduction of the puppet was meant to lighten up the atmosphere.
“It was to sort of provide serious answers to questions to the audience members while also providing levity.”
Gillespie shared her full performance on social media where she also promoted her participation at the comedy event (archived here and here). A wider angle from the original footage shows another participant using a sock puppet as well.
Uncloseted Comedy’s posts indicate that they frequently feature sock puppet sketches (archived here, here and here).
