Trump: Wayne Gretzky supports independent Canada, should not be criticized

Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky doesn’t back President Trump’s vision of Canada becoming America’s 51st state, but there are no hard feelings between the two longtime pals.

Trump, in a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, defended Gretzky as he faces backlash over perceived slights toward his home country.

“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,” Trump wrote.

“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," the president continued. "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.!”

Gretzky, 64, has not publicly discussed Trump's annexation talk or Canada's sovereignty, but the NHL Hall of Famer is a known Trump supporter. He attended a victory party after the president's 2024 election win last fall and took part in inauguration festivities last month.

Trump has repeatedly threatened hefty tariffs on Canada and suggested it should become a U.S. state rather than remaining its own country, raising tensions between the allies that recently spilled over into the hockey rink.

American and Canadian hockey fans booed each other's national anthems during the 4 Nations Face-Off hockey tournament earlier this month. Gretzky was an honorary captain of the Canadian team.

After Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he will resign, Trump proposed a merger between the two North American neighbors. In December. He also urged Gretzky to run to for the job and ultimately become the 51st governor.

“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,’" Trump wrote at the time.

The president added, "He had no interest, but I think the people of Canada should start a DRAFT WAYNE GRETZKY Movement. It would be so much fun to watch!"

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