On February 21, 2025, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mocked U.S. President Donald Trump following Canada’s 3-2 overtime win against the United States in the 4 Nations Ice Hockey competition in Boston. This thrilling victory added fuel to the ongoing political tension between the two leaders, especially in light of Trump’s past comments about making Canada the “51st state.”
In a tweet, Trudeau responded to Trump’s suggestion of annexing Canada, saying, “You can’t take our country – and you can’t take our game.” The remark was a direct rebuke to Trump’s repeated rhetoric about Canada eventually becoming part of the U.S. and the idea of appointing Trudeau as the “Governor” of a Canadian state.
Trump had used his social media platform, Truth Social, to rally the U.S. team before the game, making another reference to the “51st state” concept. He wrote, “With far lower taxes and much stronger security, Canada will someday, maybe soon, become our cherished and very important Fifty-First State.” Trump also addressed Trudeau as “Governor,” further insinuating that Canada could one day be absorbed into the United States.
Adding to the political tension, Canadian singer Chantal Kreviazuk, who performed the Canadian national anthem at the event, made a powerful statement of protest by changing the lyrics. She altered the line from “in all of us command” to “that only us command,” signaling her opposition to Trump’s remarks and her support for Canadian sovereignty. Kreviazuk explained that her alteration was a symbolic protest against what she viewed as “tyranny and fascism.” Despite some audience members booing, many joined Kreviazuk in singing along with the revised anthem, further emphasizing the sentiment of national pride.
This back-and-forth between Trudeau and Trump over the “51st state” comment comes in the context of a long-standing and complicated relationship between Canada and the U.S., further stirred by trade disputes, security concerns, and cultural differences. The 4 Nations Ice Hockey competition not only showcased the fierce rivalry on the ice but also added another layer of political drama to the ongoing saga between the two nations.