Brady Tkachuk miffed over White House AI-doctored video - ESPN

ESPN

by Greg Wyshynski

February 26, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Brady Tkachuk, the Ottawa Senators captain and Team USA gold medalist, has expressed frustration over an AI-altered video released by the White House, which appeared to portray him disparaging Canadians. The video, shared on the White House's TikTok account, featured doctored footage from a press conference with his brother, suggesting Tkachuk made derogatory remarks about Canadians. Despite the disclaimer that the clip used AI-generated media, it garnered significant attention, amassing 11.1 million views. Tkachuk emphasized that the voice and words in the video were not his own and clarified he would never use such language. The incident occurred after Team USA's gold medal victory at the Olympic Ice Hockey tournament in Milan. During a congratulatory call with President Donald Trump following their win, some players laughed along when Trump made controversial remarks about the U.S. women's hockey team. Tkachuk addressed concerns over his involvement in these exchanges, stating he was caught off guard and that the laughter was part of a whirlwind moment. He also acknowledged the positive relationship between the men's and women's teams during the Olympics. The video highlights broader issues surrounding AI manipulation of media content and its impact on public perception. Tkachuk's response underscores the challenges athletes face in managing their online image, particularly when fake content goes viral. The situation has sparked discussions about authenticity in sports media and the importance of verifying sources when consuming such content. While Tkachuk distanced himself from the altered video, he remained focused on his Olympic achievements and the camaraderie between Team USA's men's and women's teams. His comments reflect a broader conversation among athletes about how they are represented in the public eye and the need for clear communication regarding their true perspectives.

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Originally published on ESPN on 2/26/2026