If you've been on the internet at all in the last week, you know that Matthew Perry released his memoir Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing on Nov. 1.
Throughout the press run of the book he's revealed a lot about his life, including his crush on Jennifer Aniston, his feelings on Keanu Reeves, and his experience with addiction.
Ottawa-raised Perry also took the chance to clear up an old rumour about a fight he had with his childhood classmate— the one and only Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
But before we get to his confession on this week's episode of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, let's wind it back a few years.
Back in 2017, Perry admitted on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that he went to school with Trudeau and beat him up in the 5th grade.
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Perry mentioned he was reminded of the story from his best friend Chris Murray who also joined in on the school yard scrap. When Kimmel asked why they fought Trudeau, Perry responded with an answer obvious to anyone whose known a 12 year old kid: "I think he was excelling at a sport that we weren’t as good at. It was pure jealousy".
This led to a fun Twitter exchange where Trudeau challenged Perry to another round:
I've been giving it some thought, and you know what, who hasn't wanted to punch Chandler? How about a rematch @MatthewPerry?
And Perry immediately backed down:
@JustinTrudeau I think I will pass at your request for a rematch kind sir (given that you currently have an army at your disposal)
Canadian Army aside, Trudeau is a boxer too... so this was probably a smart move on Perry's side.
But now years later, Perry is walking back his bully beatdown claim. In a recent interview with Stephen Colbert, Perry told the host, "There was a big rumour about us. That I beat [Trudeau] up in grade school". When Colbert asked if he actually fought the pre-teen Prime Minister, Perry responded with a simple, "I don't think so!".
Perry admits that his friend Chris Murray told him the story, and while he didn't remember it happening, he simply believed him.
The jury is still out on whether in an alt universe Chandler Bing clocked Canada's Prime Minister, but it sounds like there might not have been any tussling after all. Check out the interview below and decide for yourself!
