President Donald Trump has defended Wayne Gretzky amid mounting backlash the Canadian ice hockey legend is facing in his home country, saying the NHL great “just wants to make me happy.”
In a Wednesday post on Truth Social, Trump said he does not want Canadians to turn against Gretzky, who is also American, because of their relationship and the fallout over his appearance at the recent 4 Nations Face-Off final.
Newsweek has contacted an office of Gretzky for comment via email.
Why It Matters
Scrutiny of Gretzky’s public support for Trump has intensified amid wider political tensions between the U.S. and Canada. Trump has threatened to impose 25 percent tariffs on Canadian goods and has repeatedly suggested the northern ally could become the 51st state of the U.S.
Win McNamee/ SAUL LOEB/POOL/AFP/Getty Images
What to Know
Gretzky, known as “The Great One” and widely regarded as the greatest ice hockey player of all time, has faced heightened criticism in Canada over his support for Trump as the president continues to suggest the country could be annexed into the U.S.
Writing on Truth Social, Trump defended Gretzky and said the Hall of Famer and his wife, Janet Jones Gretzky, “love Canada.”
Trump also said Gretzky had been “low-key” in his support for Canada remaining an independent country out of friendship for the U.S. president. This apparent reluctance to counter Trump referring to Canada as the “51st state” has reportedly irked many Canandians.
The backlash against Gretzky in Canada appeared to intensify during the final of the 4 Nations Face-Off international hockey tournament between the U.S. and Canada on February 20.
Before the game, Gretzky, who was named Canada’s honorary team captain for the final, gave a thumbs-up to the American players and did not wear Canadian colors, opting for a blue suit.
These actions followed Gretzky’s attendance at a 2024 election victory party at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort while wearing a white “Make America Great Again” hat. Gretzky and his wife also attended Trump’s inauguration in January.
Speaking soon after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he would be resigning, Trump said he spoke with Gretzky about replacing the Liberal Party leader. Trump said Gretzky asked if he should run for “prime minister or governor.” This led to speculation that the hockey star supports Trump’s plans for Canada to become the U.S.’s 51st state.
A petition calling for the renaming of Wayne Gretzky Drive in Edmonton, Alberta, over Gretzky’s support for Trump—despite knowing the president’s “intentions to annex his home country”—has amassed more than 9,800 signatures at time of writing.
The freeway, formerly known as Capilano Drive/Capilano Freeway, was renamed in October 1999 in tribute to Gretzky’s years of success with the Edmonton Oilers.
The Change.org petition was created on February 19, one day before the 4 Nations Face-Off final.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump, posting on Truth Social: “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. 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 ol’ U.S.A.!”
Former MSNBC host Keith Olbermann wrote on Bluesky: “The Man Without A Country, Wayne Gretzky, has clearly pleaded with Trump to take some of the heat off him among Canadians who are justifiably p***** at Gretzky’s recent disloyalty.”
Veteran ice hockey journalist Terry Jones, in a February 22 interview with NanaimoNewsNOW: “If I’m right that [Gretzky] doesn’t think Canada should become the 51st state, he should step up and say it. I certainly haven’t turned on Wayne Gretzky or changed any degree of my absolute admiration for the guy.”
Grant Prete, who created the Change.org petition, wrote in its description: “Wayne Gretzky may arguably be Edmonton’s greatest claim to fame. The Great One was a man who kids and hockey fans looked up to ever since he led the Edmonton Oilers during their glory days. I think, for this reason, it stings even more to know that he supports Donald Trump despite knowing Trump’s intentions to annex his home country.”
What Happens Next
President Donald Trump had agreed in early February to pause the planned 25 percent tariffs on Canadian imports for 30 days. That pause is set to expire on March 4.
