President Donald Trump said that he gave Wayne Gretzky a “pass” to “pretend,” they didn’t know each other, as the Canadian ice hockey legend faces mounting backlash for his friendship with the president in his home country.
Newsweek has reached out to a representative for Gretzky via an online contact form for comment outside of regular working hours.
Why It Matters
Gretzky, known as “The Great One,” and regarded as the greatest ice hockey player of all time is under increasing scrutiny for his support of and friendship with Trump as political tensions between the U.S. and Canada intensify.
Trump has repeatedly suggested that Canada could become the 51st state of the U.S, a rhetoric that has sparked concern among Canadians along with a tariff war that has heightened tensions between the two countries.
What To Know
In a recent interview with The Atlantic before the Canadian Federal Election, Trump spoke about Gretzky and Canada. “I love Canada,” Trump told The Atlantic. Adding, “I said to Wayne, “I’m gonna give you a pass Wayne.”
“Just pretend you don’t know me,” the President said.
The majority of Canadians view Trump negatively, with a recent poll from Politico and Focaldata, which 2,826 Canadians from April 18 to April 13 finding that 75 percent of respondents viewed Trump unfavorably, compared to only 14 percent of respondents who viewed him favorably.
Backlash against Gretsky intensified during the final of the 4 Nations Face-Off international hockey tournament between the U.S. and Canada on February 20.
Gretzky, named Canada’s honorary team captain for the final, gave a thumbs-up to the American players. He also did not wear Canadian colors, opting for a blue suit.
This came shortly after Gretsky attended a 2024 election victory party at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, where he wore a “Make America Great Again” hat. He and his wife also attended Trump’s inauguration in January.
Fueled by Trump’s trade war and annexation threats, Canada’s Liberal Party marked a turnaround in their fortunes, winning the country’s federal election. The party had previously appeared to be headed for defeat. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney repeatedly took aim at Trump in his victory speech.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump, in an interview with The Atlantic: “I love Canada. I have great friends. Wayne Gretzky’s a friend of mine. I mean, I have great friends. I said to Wayne, “I’m gonna give you a pass, Wayne.” I don’t want to ruin his reputation in Canada. I said, “Just pretend you don’t know me.” But they’re great people.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, in his victory speech: “President Trump is trying to break us so America can own us. That will never, ever happen. But we also must recognize the reality that our world has fundamentally changed.”
What’s Next
How relations between the U.S. and Canada will fare, particularly under the leadership of Carney, remains to be seen.
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