Wayne Gretzky Addresses Backlash Over Friendship With President Trump

Wayne Gretzky addressed his controversial relationship with President Donald Trump after receiving the wrath of Canadian sports fans.

“I understand,” Gretzky, 64, said on the “100% Hockey” podcast on Wednesday, November 12. “Canadians are proud, simple as that.”

Gretzky, the Canadian-born all-time NHL points leader, has cozied up to Trump, 79, in recent years. Gretzky, 64, and his family attended an election night party at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago in 2024, and then attended Trump’s inauguration in January 2025 alongside his wife, Janet Jones. 

Trump, meanwhile, has repeatedly suggested that Canada could become the United States of America’s 51st state. 

In a scene that previously would have been unfathomable, Gretzky received boos from fans of Team Canada during the 4 Nations Face-Off final against the United States in February. 

“People are going to say and believe what they want, right?” Gretzky said on Wednesday. “Bottom line is, I know in my heart I’m Canadian and stayed Canadian.”

Gretzky said he’s also received “a lot of support” in the aftermath of the booing, but he’s grateful his late father, Walter, wasn’t around to experience the backlash. 

“It probably would have hurt my Dad more, so I’m glad he didn’t have to see it,” Wayne said. 

Walter Gretzky died in March 2021 at the age of 82. 

“Canadians are proud,” Wayne reiterated. “But here’s the two factors. I don’t know how many people move to the U.S. — whether it’s business , entertainment, hockey — I don’t know the exact number. But I would tell you that over 90 percent of them become American citizens. I never became an American citizen. I’m Canadian.”

Wayne continued, “I can’t vote in the U.S. because I live in the U.S. and I’m Canadian. I can’t vote in Canada because I don’t live in Canada. I’m not into politics. I can’t stop the Prime Minister from saying something. I can’t stop the President from saying something. I’m just a hockey player, as simple as that.”

After Wayne was booed, he received a supportive message from then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. 

“It was a wonderful phone call,” Wayne said. “He reached out and he gave me a great line. He said, ‘I’m giving you a hug call.’ I said, ‘OK, I needed it right now.’”

Trump referenced his relationship with Wayne during an interview with The Atlantic in April. 

“I love other nations. I love Canada,” Trump said. “I have great friends. Wayne Gretzky’s a friend of mine. I mean, I have great friends. I said to Wayne, ‘I’m gonna give you a pass, Wayne.’ I don’t want to ruin his reputation in Canada. I said, ‘Just pretend you don’t know me.’ But they’re great people.”

Despite that assertion, Trump added, “Here’s the problem I have with Canada: We’re subsidizing them to the tune of $200 billion a year. And we don’t need their gasoline; we don’t need their oil; we don’t need their lumber. We don’t need their energy of any type. We don’t need anything they have. I say it would make a great 51st state.”