U.S. President-elect Donald Trump revealed on Christmas Day that he encouraged Canadian hockey legend Wayne Gretzky to consider running for prime minister of Canada. Sharing the exchange on his Truth Social platform, Trump referred to Gretzky as "The Great One" and praised him as a potential political leader.
“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. However, Gretzky reportedly declined the suggestion.
Trump’s comments also included his recurring and controversial suggestion that Canada could become a U.S. state. While Ottawa has consistently dismissed such remarks as jokes, the rhetoric adds to the tense dynamics between the two nations as Trump prepares for his presidential term.
Experts have pointed out that Canada’s leadership remains focused on mitigating potential economic fallout from Trump's policies, such as tariffs, rather than engaging with his provocative statements about annexation.
This isn’t the first time Gretzky has intersected with Canadian politics. Known for supporting Conservative politicians, he previously endorsed Patrick Brown during his bid for Ontario Progressive Conservative leadership and shared a stage with former Prime Minister Stephen Harper during the 2015 federal election.
Despite his political connections, Gretzky has emphasized his respect for leaders across the political spectrum, even hosting events for Liberal Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau decades earlier.
With Canada’s current political landscape marked by a minority government under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the recent resignation of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, Trump’s lighthearted proposal adds an unexpected twist to an already unpredictable political scene.
Visit Dan Lalonde Films For All Technology And Entertainment News
Source: CTV
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Comentarios