U.S. President Donald Trump has come to Wayne Gretzky鈥檚 defence amid criticism from Canadians regarding the hockey legend鈥檚 support of Trump and the United States.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump praised Gretzky as 鈥渢he greatest Canadian鈥� and emphasized his loyalty to Canada.
Trump also stated that he doesn鈥檛 want Canadians to turn against Gretzky simply because of their friendship.
鈥淲ayne 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,鈥� Trump wrote on his official account. 鈥淗e鈥檚 the Greatest Canadian of them all, and I am therefore making him a 鈥榝ree agent,鈥� because I don鈥檛 want anyone in Canada to say anything bad about him.
鈥淗e supports Canada the way it is, as he should, even though it鈥檚 not nearly as good as it could be as part of the Greatest and Most Powerful Country in the World, the Good Ole鈥� U.S.A.!鈥�
Trump has angered many Canadians by threatening stiff tariffs on the country鈥檚 trade products and suggesting that Canada become the 鈥�51st state.鈥� He has also frequently mocked Prime Minister Trudeau by calling him 鈥済overnor.鈥�
The controversy follows Gretzky鈥檚 role as Team Canada鈥檚 honorary captain at the Four Nations Face-Off. He has been criticized in Canada for supporting Trump, including attending his election night party and inauguration.
In Edmonton, where Gretzky became a legend, some fans are petitioning to change the name of Wayne Gretzky Drive. The street was renamed in 1999 to honour his four Stanley Cups with the Oilers.
As of Thursday, the petition had gathered more than 9,900 signatures.
鈥淲ayne Gretzky is a fantastic guy!鈥� Trump wrote on Truth Social. 鈥淭hey call him, 鈥楾he Great One,鈥� and he is.
鈥淗e 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 鈥榣ow key鈥� 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.鈥�
