Trump posted that he doesn’t want Canadians to turn against Gretzky due to their friendship
Wayne Gretzky has faced significant criticism from some Canadians for his association with U.S. President Donald Trump. He has shown himself to be a friend and supporter of Trump, attending his election night party as well as the inauguration.
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This week, Trump took to social media to defend Gretzky. On Truth Social, he described Gretzky as “the greatest Canadian” and stated that he doesn’t want Canadians to turn against Gretzky due to their friendship.
He declared Gretzky a “free agent,” suggesting he wants Gretzky to be free from criticism in Canada.
“Wayne is my friend, and he wants to make me happy, and is therefore somewhat ‘low key’ about Canada remaining a separate Country…” Trump posted.
“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,” Trump continued. “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.”
Why is Trump defending Gretzky? What spurred his support? Here is what we know.
Why are Canadian hockey fans upset with Gretzky?
Aside from the personal connection to Trump, Gretzky recently raised the ire of Canadian hockey fans. Controversy erupted around Gretzky’s role as Team Canada’s honorary captain at the recent Four Nations hockey tournament.
Several of his actions at the Canada-U.S. game on Feb. 21 were seen as showing a lack of Canadian patriotism, as well as less than enthusiastic support for Team Canada.
For example, he entered the ice from the U.S. bench instead of the Canadian side. He gave a thumbs-up to American players while not visibly acknowledging the Canadian team. He wore a plain blue suit rather than a Canada jersey — or any Canadian symbols — in contrast with the U.S. honorary captain, Mike Eruzione, who wore his country’s colours.
Gretzky was booed as a result.
How did Gretzky get looped into U.S. politics?
Does Gretzky have political ambitions?
Political speculation about Gretzky goes back to Christmas Day 2024.
Trump took to social media after a visit from Gretzky and his wife Janet at Mar-a-Lago. Apparently, Trump encouraged Gretzky to run for prime minister of Canada during the holiday meet-up.
“I said, ‘Wayne, why don’t you run for prime minister of Canada, soon to be known as the governor of Canada — you would win easily, you wouldn’t even have to campaign.’ He had no interest,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Christmas Day.
How has Gretzky responded to the political furore?
Has Gretzky responded to Canadians?
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