President-elect Donald Trump suggested NHL legend Wayne Gretzky should replace Justin Trudeau as Canada’s leader, while continuing to push the idea of Canada joining the United States as the 51st state in the Union.
“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 on Truth Social after meeting Gretzky, who attended his election victory celebration at Mar-a-Lago wearing a MAGA cap.
Trump then joked that Gretzky would then be one of his top governor’s after Canada joined the United States.
In response, The Great One’s wife, Janet Gretzky, quickly shared Trump’s post on Instagram. Wayne Gretzky hasn’t commented publicly on the suggestion.
Take a look —
Janet Gretsky, Wayne’s wife shared this Truth from Trump on her Instagram Stories. https://t.co/uh3bqbUCNh
— JKash 🍊MAGA Queen (@JKash000) December 26, 2024
The suggestion comes amid political turmoil in Canada, where Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland recently resigned and opposition leaders have demand Trudeau’s resignation. The Conservative Party leads polls ahead of next year’s mandatory federal election, due by October 2025.
Gretzky, a dual U.S.-Canadian citizen, previously endorsed the Conservative Party in 2015, praising then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper as “one of the greatest prime ministers ever.”
The hockey legend, whose father was Ukrainian, has advocated for banning Russia from international sports over the Ukraine war.
Trump met with Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago after his 2024 victory to discuss proposed 25% tariffs on Canadian goods. He’s repeatedly joked that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state, claiming “many Canadians want Canada to become the 51st State. They would save massively on taxes and military protection.”