U.S. Hockey Star Denounces White House AI Video as Fabricated
Brady Tkachuk, the celebrated forward who helped secure gold for the United States men's hockey team at the 2026 Winter Olympics, has vehemently denied allegations that he insulted Canada following the circulation of a controversial TikTok video posted by the White House. The Ottawa Senators captain labeled the clip as "clearly fake" and distanced himself from the inflammatory content.
Video Sparks Outrage with AI-Generated Remarks
In the video, which appeared on the White House's official TikTok account this week, Tkachuk is depicted at a post-game press conference seemingly uttering derogatory statements about Canada. The AI-generated footage shows him allegedly saying, "They booed our national anthem, so I had to come out and teach those maple-syrup-eating-f**ks a lesson," followed by, "Canada, we own you lil' bro." Although the video includes a small disclaimer noting it "contains AI-generated media," it lacks further context, leading to widespread misinterpretation.
Tkachuk responded forcefully to CNN, stating, "It's clearly fake, because it's not my voice and not my lips moving. I'm not in control of any of those accounts and ... I know that those words would never come out of my mouth, so I can't do anything about it." He emphasized his disapproval, adding, "I don't like that video."
Additional Controversies and Clarifications
The 26-year-old athlete, who was born in Scottsdale, Arizona but has built his career in Canada since signing with the Ottawa Senators in 2018, also addressed separate incidents. He denied being the individual who urged former U.S. President Donald Trump to "close the northern border" during a congratulatory call after the Olympic final victory over Canada.
"I've been seeing stuff that people think it's me, but if you watch the video, that's not my voice and something that I'd never say," Tkachuk told CBS Sports. He expressed frustration over the rapid spread of misinformation on social media, noting, "I don't really know how that kind of took a storm on its own when I play here in Canada and give everything I have here. I just think that's something that—never a thought would happen in my head, and especially would never say it."
Political Context and Tkachuk's Stance
The controversy unfolds against a backdrop of heightened political tensions, with Trump recently making provocative comments about Canada and hockey. In social media posts, he suggested that a trade deal with China could lead to the termination of ice hockey in Canada and the elimination of the Stanley Cup. Trump also shared an AI-generated video showing him in a suit and tie engaging in physical altercations with Canadian hockey players, juxtaposed with a past statement from former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
When questioned about Trump's proposals for Canada to become the 51st U.S. state, Tkachuk offered a measured response, highlighting his desire to continue participating in elite international tournaments. "I know I don't want that, because I still want to play in the best-on-best tournaments," he remarked, underscoring his commitment to the sport's global integrity.
As one of five Canadian NHL team players on the U.S. Olympic squad, Tkachuk's denials aim to preserve his reputation and foster cross-border sportsmanship amid the swirling digital deception.
