Donald Trump issued a statement on Wednesday regarding hockey legend Wayne Gretzky.
Trump, who is a little more than a month into his second presidential term, defended “The Great One” in a statement posted on his Truth Social platform. Trump seemed to be asking Canadians to go easy on the Hall of Famer amid perception that 99 is being a traitor.
“Wayne Gretzky is a fantastic guy! They call him, ‘The Great One,’ and he is. He could run for any political office in Canada, and win,” Trump wrote in his post.
“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. 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.
“He’s the Greatest Canadian of them all, and I am therefore making him a ‘free agent,’ because I don’t want anyone in Canada to say anything bad about him. He supports Canada the way it is, as he should, even though it’s not nearly as good as it could be as part of the Greatest and Most Powerful Country in the World, the Good Ole’ U.S.A.!”
President Trump in a social media post tonight on Wayne Gretzky: “Wayne is my friend, and he wants to make me happy, and is therefore somewhat ‘low key’ about Canada remaining a separate Country…” pic.twitter.com/gl2cJ7xEkT
— Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) February 27, 2025
What exactly are Canadians upset about? Gretzky, who is from Ontario, Canada, attended President Trump’s inauguration and his victory party at Mar-a-Lago. Right off the bat, some people would take issue with that because they dislike Trump and anyone who is seen as friendly with him or seen as having different political views.
Beyond that, Trump’s attitude towards Canada and talk about making the country the 51st state has angered many in the country. That led to a heated rivalry game between the US and Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off. Gretzky served as an honorary captain for Team Canada prior to the final game, and some Canadians were upset, feeling that Gretzky did not represent his home country well enough when he wore neutral clothing.
Gretzky:
— Alex 🇨🇦 (@alex_upnorth) February 21, 2025
Enters through US bench
Gives thumbs up to US players
Wears no red or NOTHING repping Canada
Doesn’t even look Team Canada’s way
He’s a traitor & MAGA coward
Good riddance. #4nations pic.twitter.com/1YqguI3yqF
Gretzky began his NHL career with the Edmonton Oilers, but then spent the second half of his career in the U.S. playing for the Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers. He is a citizen of both Canada and the U.S. and has also shown himself to be a supporter of conservative politicians in Canada in the past.
Gretzky is regarded as the greatest hockey player ever.
