Wayne Gretzky has faced criticism from Canadians for his lack of support for his country after Donald Trump suggested it should become the USA’s 51st state. Now, the U.S. president is voicing his support for The Great One.
President Donald Trump has stirred up emotions in recent weeks, threatening Canada with steep tariffs. He has also talked about making Canada the United States’ 51st state and mocked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau by suggesting he’ll make him “governor.”
During the 4 Nations Face-Off, Wayne Gretzky appeared as a panelist on NHL on TNT, and fans were quick to criticize him for not speaking out against Trump. When he took the ice as an honorary captain for Canada in the championship final, fans also slammed him for not wearing a Canadian jersey.
Donald Trump supports Wayne Gretzky
Now, President Trump has broken his silence on the matter, speaking out in support of Wayne Gretzky, saying he’s a “proud Canadian.”
“Wayne is my friend, and he wants to make me happy, and is therefore somewhat ‘low key’ about Canada remaining a separate Country, rather than becoming a cherished and beautiful 51st State, paying much Lower Taxes, a Free and Powerful Military, NO TARIFFS, and having a Booming Economy,” the president wrote.
“Wayne and Janet, his wonderful wife, love Canada, and they should only support Canada, and whatever else makes the Canadian People, and Governor Justin Trudeau, happy.”
Why Gretzky was slammed by fans
Many criticized the decision to select Gretzky as Canada’s honorary captain, especially given his past support for Trump, including attending his inauguration and election night party. During the tournament final, TSN reporter Dave Naylor called out The Great One.
“Just going to state this matter-of-factly … the honorary captain for Canada in this game publicly supports a political leader whose position is that Canada should not exist as a nation,” he wrote on X.
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