Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pushed back on President Donald Trump’s suggestions that Canada might become the 51st state after Canada defeated Team USA in the 4 Nations Face-Off hockey championship Thursday night.
Trudeau’s comments came as Canada defeated Team USA 3-2 in an exciting overtime game in Boston. Just days before, Team USA dominated Canada in a 3-1 victory in Montreal after Canadian fans booed America’s national anthem. American fans returned the favor on Thursday, booing during the singing of “O Canada.”
“You can’t take our country — and you can’t take our game,” Trudeau posted on X shortly after the championship game concluded.
You can’t take our country — and you can’t take our game.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 21, 2025
Trump wrote on Truth Social on Thursday that he hoped Team USA would defeat Canada, which he said would “someday, maybe soon, become our cherished, and very important, Fifty First State.”
“I will be speaking before the Governors tonight in D.C., and will sadly, therefore, be unable to attend. But we will all be watching, and if Governor Trudeau would like to join us, he would be most welcome,” Trump said.
While he couldn’t attend the championship, Trump called Team USA and General Manager Billy Guerin before the game. Guerin put Trump on speakerphone in the locker room.
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“You guys are really talented,” Trump said. “I have great respect for hockey players. I’m a hockey fan. I love hockey. The talent, the skill that you have is crazy and just go out and have a good time tonight and I just want to wish you a lot of luck. You really are a skilled group of people. It’s an honor to talk to you and get out there and there’s no pressure whatsoever.”
“I could tell you honestly every person in here, players, staff, management, coaches, we are all proud Americans and we want to represent our country the best way we can and do our best to bring in a win tonight,” Guerin told Trump. “Thank you again on behalf of everybody.”
“You just go out and have a good time,” Trump responded. “You’re going to win and we love America and we love you guys. We will be watching tonight. Bring it home!”
ESPN plays President Trump’s call with @usahockey before tonight’s #4Nations faceoff pic.twitter.com/7PKT0QzmJ4
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 21, 2025
Guerin previously said that the political tensions between the United States and Canada would “inspire” his players to play better and reignite the Canada-America hockey rivalry.
Earlier this month, Trudeau agreed to send more troops to the Canada-U.S. border to address drug trafficking and illegal immigration after Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Canada. After Trudeau announced his commitment to increasing border security, Trump said the tariffs would be paused for 30 days while the two nations negotiate an economic deal.