Brady Tkachuk, the prominent American ice hockey player, openly criticized a controversial AI-generated video released by the White House that falsely portrayed him insulting Canadians. The incident followed the US men’s hockey team’s victory over Canada at the Winter Olympics on Sunday, which marked America’s first Olympic gold medal in men’s ice hockey since 1980. The video, shared on the White House TikTok account, depicted Tkachuk saying:
“They booed our national anthem, so I had to come out and teach those maple syrup eating fuckers a lesson,”
a statement Tkachuk insists he never made.
Evidence Points to Fabrication, Tkachuk Clarifies His Position
Tkachuk quickly rejected the authenticity of the video, noting irregularities such as mismatched voice and lip movements. Speaking on Thursday, he stated,
“Well, it’s clearly fake, because it’s not my voice, not my lips moving,”
and added,
“I’m not in control of any of those accounts. I know that those words would never come out of my mouth. So, I can’t do anything about it.”
Given Tkachuk’s current role as captain of the Ottawa Senators, based in Canada’s capital, the false narrative could severely damage his reputation locally and internationally.
Concerns Raised Over Player’s Reputation in Canadian Capital
Living and playing in Ottawa puts Tkachuk at the heart of the Canadian ice hockey community, intensifying the backlash caused by the fabricated remarks. He emphasized,
“It’s not my voice. It’s not what I was saying, I would never say that. That’s not who I am, so I guess I don’t like that video because that would never come out of my mouth and never had that thought.”
The video has attracted more than 10 million views, amplifying the controversy surrounding the misuse of AI deepfake technology on public figures.
Denial of Claims Linked to Trump’s Post-Victory Call
The situation was further complicated by rumors after former President Donald Trump’s congratulatory call to the US men’s hockey team, during which some observers believed they heard Tkachuk shout, “Close the northern border.” Tkachuk denied this entirely, saying,
“I’ve been seeing stuff that people think it’s me. But if you watch the video, it’s not my voice or something that I never say.”
He expressed disbelief at how quickly misinformation can spiral on social media, noting,
“It’s crazy when things go on social media, how fast they go. I would never say anything like that.”
Trump’s Controversial Joke about US Women’s Team Triggers Backlash
The fallout from Trump’s phone call also included criticism over a joke he made about the US women’s hockey team, inviting only the men’s team to the White House with a remark implying consequences if the women’s team was excluded. Trump said,
“I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that,”
before laughing and joking that he would be “impeached” otherwise. The US women’s team, who also won gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics, declined the White House invitation, with Captain Hilary Knight labeling the joke as “distasteful.”
Tkachuk Expresses Understanding of Women’s Team’s Reaction
On Thursday, Tkachuk acknowledged the hurt caused by Trump’s comment and the mixed reactions among players. He said,
“I mean, I get it, we support them, they support us. You can’t control what other people say. It was fun being around them, seeing how they play and the excellence around them. If I see one of them, we’ll talk about the excitement of what we can control, which is to be gold medalists.”
He also suggested that some teammates’ laughter during the call may have been a spontaneous response to the high-pressure situation.
“You’re talking to the President 10 minutes after you achieve your dream,”
Tkachuk explained, providing context for the reactions.
Significance of the White House Visit for Tkachuk and His Team
Tkachuk was among the 20 US men’s players who accepted the White House invitation, while the women’s team decided against attending. Reflecting on the experience, he described it as “special,” sharing,
“Being an American citizen, you never really think you’re going to see the White House and be in the Oval Office.”
This underscored the importance of the monumental Olympic achievement and its recognition at the highest levels of government despite the surrounding controversies.
Broader Impact of AI Misinformation in Sports and Public Life
The widespread circulation of the AI-crafted video raises pressing concerns about the use of artificial intelligence to manipulate public perception and damage personal reputations. Tkachuk’s case exemplifies how quickly misinformation can spread and the challenges athletes face in controlling their narratives amid technological misuse. As AI-generated content grows more sophisticated, public figures and institutions alike must navigate the delicate balance between innovation and ethical responsibility to prevent such harmful distortions.
