White House post after US hockey win over Canada stirs controversy
Al Jazeera
February 22, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The White House has sparked controversy by celebrating the U.S. hockey team's victory over Canada at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics with a politically charged social media post. The image shared on Sunday featured a bald eagle—an American symbol—appearing to dominate a goose, which represents Canada. This came in response to a 2025 tweet from then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who had written, "You can't take our country—and you can't take our game," after Canada won a hockey tournament and President Trump floated the idea of annexing Canada as the 51st state.
The post has drawn criticism from journalists and observers for its aggressive tone. Political science professor Stewart Prest criticized the move on Twitter, while journalist David Rider highlighted the potential loss of Canadian tourism dollars due to the diplomatic spat. Meanwhile, Trump celebrated the win separately on his Truth Social platform, writing, "Congratulations to our great U.S.A. Ice Hockey team. THEY WON THE GOLD. WOW! LOTS OF WINNING!!! President DONALD J. TRUMP."
The controversy reflects broader tensions between the two neighboring countries under Trump's leadership. Since taking office last year, Trump has repeatedly threatened Canada with tariffs and even floated the idea of annexation, sparking outrage in Ottawa. This includes his recent threats to impose 100% tariffs on Canadian imports after Canada struck a trade deal with China. At the World Economic Forum, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney criticized the U.S. approach to global relations, calling the current system of accepting American hegemony outdated and counterproductive.
The diplomatic fallout has implications beyond sports. It highlights how Trump's combative foreign policy is straining ties with one of the U.S.'s closest allies. The ongoing trade disputes and political posturing are likely to have long-term economic and diplomatic consequences for both nations, further complicating an
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/22/2026