President Donald Trump stirred fresh controversy after posting an AI-generated image depicting an enormous air-filter barrier stretching across the U.S.-Canada border, a tongue-in-cheek image that came as tensions between the two countries continue to rise over wildfire smoke and trade.

The digitally created image appeared days after Trump sharply criticized Canada over smoke from its widespread wildfires, which blanketed large portions of the United States and prompted air quality warnings across much of the country.

Last week, Trump vowed to hold Canada accountable for what he described as unhealthy air drifting south from the fires.

More than 100 million Americans across 18 states and Washington, D.C., spent several days under air quality alerts as smoke spread through the Midwest, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic regions.

At the time, Trump wrote on Truth Social, “We are holding Canada responsible for the fact that they are not properly maintaining their Forests, and Brush therein, and the United States is being unnecessarily invaded by filthy, polluted, and unhealthy air, the quality of which is dangerous, and totally unacceptable!”

He continued by accusing Canada of failing to take basic wildfire prevention measures and warning that the issue could have financial consequences.

“I will call the Prime Minister during the day to find out what they are going to do about it. The cost is incalculable! Canada has refused to engage in basic Forest Management and Debris Removal, knowing that such refusal will lead to exactly this result. This is Willful Negligence, and becoming a yearly occurrence, costing the United States Billions of Dollars, which cost of this pollution must of necessity be added to the TARIFFS Canada is currently paying.”

The latest social media post also follows another diplomatic dispute that unfolded Friday surrounding the opening of the new Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario.

The United States had originally been expected to participate in a joint ribbon-cutting ceremony for the $4.4 billion crossing, named after hockey legend Gordie Howe. However, Canadian officials withdrew the invitation after Trump announced an additional 50% tariff on Canadian goods this week, citing what he called Canada’s discriminatory treatment of American products.

Trump responded on Truth Social by dismissing Canada’s decision and claiming the United States had secured improved financial terms regarding the bridge project.

“Canada disinvited the United States of America to the opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge, which is fine, considering they are paying substantial TARIFFS to the United States, but the original Deal on the Bridge, which was terribly negotiated by a previous Administration, no longer stands,” Trump wrote.

He added, “We changed the terms of the Deal so that the United States of America now gets 50% of the Profit. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

{Matzav.com}