Trump mentions Ovechkin during a Tuesday press conference with Canada’s new Prime Minister Mark Carney, surprising many with an unexpected shift to hockey. Known for his bold statements on trade and diplomacy, Trump switched gears when he was asked what he wanted most from Canada.
Initially, Trump gave a diplomatic answer, saying, “Concession? Friendship.” However, when pressed for more details, he surprised many by mentioning NHL superstar Alex Ovechkin.
“You have a very, very good hockey player right here on the Capitals. He is a big, tough cookie too. Just broke the record, and he’s a great guy,” Trump said, referring to Ovechkin’s recent record-breaking milestone of surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL goals record.
While Trump did not explicitly say Ovechkin was Canadian, social media was quick to point out the mix-up, as the Washington Capitals captain is actually Russian. The comment led to reactions online, with many poking fun at Trump for confusing Ovechkin’s nationality.
The mention of Ovechkin wasn’t completely random. Trump has previously expressed admiration for the Capitals, even hosting their 2018 Stanley Cup championship team at the White House in March 2019. Trump also made headlines last month for hanging out with Capitals forward T.J. Oshie and Elon Musk at his golf club in Sterling, Virginia.
Despite Trump’s awkward hockey comment, Prime Minister Carney stayed composed and kept the focus on trade and sovereignty—the core topics of the press conference. Carney, a former central banker, appeared unfazed by Trump’s light-hearted hockey tangent.
Trump’s hockey joke stirred social media, as users on X (formerly Twitter) quickly reacted to the gaffe and debated the unexpected twist in an otherwise diplomatic event. The press conference finished on a more lighthearted tone.
Source: Tribune
