If Donald Trump assumed that absorbing Canada would be as straightforward as negotiating a trade deal, he just received a frosty reality check.
Following Canada’s dramatic 3-2 overtime victory against the U.S. in the 4 Nations Face Off final in Boston, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau couldn’t resist taking a lighthearted jab at his American counterpart.
“You can’t take our country – and you can’t take our game,” Trudeau remarked on X, humorously pushing back against Trump’s recent comments about turning Canada into the 51st U.S. state.
You can’t take our country — and you can’t take our game.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 21, 2025
The highly anticipated game took place against a backdrop of escalating tensions between the two countries, driven by the threat of a trade war and Trump’s repeated remarks about absorbing Canada. The political friction made its way into the arena, with Canadian fans altering the lyrics of their national anthem in protest, while American spectators responded with loud boos.
As reported by the BBC, Canadian singer Chantal Kreviazuk, who performed the anthem, deliberately changed the lyrics, singing “that only us command” instead of “in all of us command.” She later clarified her decision on Instagram, stating: “We should express our outrage in the face of any abuses of power.”
Chantal Kreviazuk owning Trump by changing the line “True patriot love in all of us command” to “True patriot love, that only us command” is better than any hidden message Kendrick Lamar had at the Super Bowl. pic.twitter.com/m0PvA8MIX5
— Brent Bellamy (@brent_bellamy) February 21, 2025
The final was a dream matchup for hockey enthusiasts, marking the first high-stakes clash between the two nations’ top players since the 2014 Winter Olympics. Standout performances from stars like Connor McDavid, who netted the sudden-death winner, and Auston Matthews highlighted the next generation of hockey talent.
Trump, who was not present at the game, called the U.S. team beforehand and later doubled down on his position regarding Canada. Posting on Truth Social, he stated that he hoped it “will someday, maybe soon, become our cherished and very important Fifty First State.”
For Canadians, however, hockey is more than just a sport—it is a core part of their national identity. The victory further reinforced Canada’s dominance over the U.S. in international competition, extending their historical record to 14 wins in 20 matchups since the 1976 Canada Cup.
