Former President Donald Trump took to social media recently to stand by his friend, Wayne Gretzky, amidst mounting criticism from Canadian fans over his ties to Trump and the United States. On Truth Social, Trump praised Gretzky, a name synonymous with hockey greatness, and emphasized that Canadians should not turn against the Hall of Famer because of their friendship. Trump acknowledged Gretzky’s loyalty to Canada while reiterating, well-known sentiments to U.S. audiences..do Canadians already know?

The controversy surrounding Gretzky, who is widely revered in Canadian culture and hails from Canada, initially began long before any recent posts. After frequently attending key Trump-related events, such as the President’s electoral victory celebration and his inauguration, Canadian fans grew unhappy about his frequent appearances at high-profile Trump events.

“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.”

– Donald Trump, on Truth Social

Another significant cry over the issue; comes from Gretzky’s ongoing campaign against Canadian separatism. Trump’s post alluded to an ongoing theme, that comprising why he and Gretzky have asserted “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’s post read. The issue roils many Canadians, who disagree and advocate for keeping Canada from being annexed. Many are equally puzzled why their beloved athlete often clearly gives the impression of supporting that standpoint in his public persona.

One thing is clear; While Gretzky grew up globally known as a fundamental beahviour symmetrical to how like he grew up – he is the same in his fairness and loyalty to win— which earned him great esteem in Canadians eyes. Now, a toll it seems with an putative offer for him to help Donald Trump with his diplomatic goals of integrating canada will be risky. A petition to drop his name from Edmonton’s highway displays the sense in the country that Canadians are equally split about welcoming Trump’s plans for integrating Canada to the U.S. One thing is certain, all the searched examples displayed no conclusive evidence that Canada ever intends to become the 51st state to U.S.””

But this view alllays many of those claims suggesting that Canada really does not intend to have diplomatic discussions. In fact, if anything, the prime minister’s office reiterated again  “Any plan to annex Canada into the 51st state just seems like a move to make Trump look more appealing to voters, particularly the far right.”

Yet, Trump’s assertive stance towards integrating Canada appears to have so far garnered little international traction. Despite protocol that Canada be offered ” |Share .” Canadians humourously retorted

that they are concerned, but Canada aint how I would be expecating an US to act behaving which supporting annexation might motivate Country residents become nationalists seeing all hardships linking the country.”