Former President Donald Trump could not resist inserting himself into the celebration of the United States' dramatic hockey victory over Canada at the Winter Olympics. In a move that blurred the lines between reality and digital fabrication, he posted an AI-generated video early Monday that portrayed him as the hero of the game.
Trump's AI-Generated Hockey Fantasy
The video, which quickly circulated on social media, shows Trump aggressively engaging in the match. It depicts him shoving Canadian defenders to the ice, punching one opponent, and then sitting smugly in the penalty box. After serving his time, he emerges to score what appears to be the winning goal, with U.S. teammates enthusiastically hugging him in celebration.
Amplification by Supporters
Trump further amplified the narrative by sharing a post from ardent supporter Kari Lake, who praised him as "Trump, The ENFORCER!" This action effectively allowed Trump to virtually shower himself in glory for the team's achievement, despite having no actual involvement in the game.
White House Trolling Precedes Trump's Post
Trump's social media activity appeared to follow the lead of his White House, which had earlier trolled Canada and its former prime minister, Justin Trudeau. The White House attached Trudeau's words—"You can't take our country — and you can't take our game"—to an image of a bald eagle digging its claws into what is presumably a Canadian goose. Trudeau had made this declaration after Canada defeated the U.S. in the Four Nations Face-Off last year, a tournament that coincided with Trump's saber-rattling over tariffs and discussions about annexing Canada as the 51st state.
Contrasting Reactions to Olympic Performances
After the Olympic gold medal final was decided in overtime on Sunday, Trump issued several Truth Social posts congratulating the U.S. hockey team and the overall U.S. squad for their medal haul. However, earlier in the Games, he had labeled freestyle skier Hunter Hess a "loser" for expressing conflicted feelings about representing the United States. Vice President JD Vance and other conservatives joined in criticizing U.S. team members who spoke out on political issues, highlighting a pattern of selective praise and condemnation from Trump and his allies.
This incident underscores how Trump continues to leverage digital tools and political platforms to shape narratives, even in the realm of international sports, where his actions often spark controversy and debate.
