President-elect Donald Trump recently suggested that ice hockey icon Wayne Gretzky should consider a political career as Canada’s prime minister. This comes as part of a string of provocative remarks aimed at America’s northern neighbor over the Christmas holiday period.
“I just left Wayne Gretzky, ‘The Great One’ as he is known in Ice Hockey circles,” Trump shared on Truth Social, where he proposed Gretzky’s potential run for Canadian leadership, adding “Soon to be known as the Governor of Canada.”
Trump voiced his confidence in Gretzky’s potential for electoral success, suggesting that he wouldn’t even need to campaign. He urged Canadians to “start a DRAFT WAYNE GRETZKY Movement. It would be so much fun to watch!”
Trump’s remarks about Gretzky, a native of Brantford, Canada, come amidst his intimidating narrative of possibly incorporating Canada as the 51st U.S. state. During a November 30th dinner at Mar-a-Lago with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Trump proposed the idea of Canada becoming a state after Trudeau expressed worry about Trump’s proposed 25% tariff on Canadian goods.
Canada’s newly appointed Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc attempted to downplay Trump’s comments about Canadian statehood, explaining, “The president was telling jokes. The president was teasing us. It was, of course, on that issue, in no way a serious comment.”
Trump has threatened to enforce a 25% blanket tariff on imports from both Canada and Mexico unless they bolster their border security measures. He alleges that the U.S. has a trade deficit exceeding $100 billion with Canada and posits that Canadian taxes could be reduced by “more than 60%” if it became a U.S. state.
Trump’s Christmas Day posts also touched on other global issues. He made unsubstantiated claims regarding the Panama Canal, alleging that “wonderful soldiers of China” are operating it “illegally.” He also expressed interest in Greenland, claiming it is “needed by the United States for National Security purposes.”
Concluding his holiday messages, Trump referred to the election, writing “We had the Greatest Election in the History of our Country, a bright light is now shining over the U.S.A. and, in 26 days, we will, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. MERRY CHRISTMAS!”
Two key members of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly and Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc, journeyed to Palm Beach, Florida, on December 27, to meet with President-elect Donald Trump’s team. The meeting focused on border security and trade concerns ahead of the January 20 inauguration.
Joly and LeBlanc traveled south to build on previous discussions between Trudeau and Trump at Mar-a-Lago. “The Ministers intend to focus on Canada’s efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking and illegal migration and the measures outlined in Canada’s Border Plan, as well as the negative impacts that the imposition of 25% tariffs on Canadian goods would have on both Canada and the U.S.,” stated Jean-Sébastien Comeau, director of communications for Minister LeBlanc.
This visit followed what seemed to be positive initial discussions with Trump’s border czar. “The conversation I have in Canada, I couldn’t ask for a better conversation,” Tom Homan said in a December 19 interview with CTV’s Power Play. “Of course, actions have to follow, but I’m very optimistic from the conversation I had that we’re going to come up with a good border security plan.”
The Canadian government recently put forth a five-pillared approach to enhance border security, backed by $1.3 billion in funding from the fall economic statement, though specific allocations are yet to be defined. These meetings occur as Trump continues his social media commentary about Canada potentially becoming the 51st state.
Recent resignations in Prime Minister Trudeau’s cabinet have heightened tensions within the Canadian government, coming on the heels of Trump’s derogatory remarks about Canada. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland stepped down, citing policy disagreements, particularly over Trudeau’s proposed economic response to looming U.S. tariffs. Housing Minister Sean Fraser also announced his departure for personal reasons, adding to the instability.
These developments have raised concerns about Trudeau’s leadership amid mounting criticism over his government’s direction and internal cohesion. Freeland’s exit, in particular, signals deep divisions within the administration, while Fraser’s resignation highlights broader challenges. The fallout from Trump’s remarks and the resulting pressure on Trudeau have fueled speculation about potential early elections and his political future.
