Team USA hockey gold medalist Brady Tkachuk, who is also captain of the Ottawa Senators, dismissed an AI‑altered video posted on the White House’s account that appeared to show him taunting Canadians after winning gold, calling the clip “clearly fake,” on Thursday.
Why It Matters
The U.S. men’s hockey team, which captured its first Olympic gold since 1980’s “Miracle on Ice” by defeating Canada in Milan on Sunday, has since been pulled into political controversy. The fallout centers on FBI Director Kash Patel and a recorded phone call with President Donald Trump. In that exchange, Trump joked that he would also need to invite the U.S. women’s hockey team, which also won Olympic gold by beating Canada. The women’s team declined the invitation Monday, citing scheduling conflicts.
The men’s team visited Trump at the White House on Tuesday afternoon and later received a bipartisan standing ovation during his State of the Union address. Many of the players are now back with their home teams, which include some in Canada.
What To Know
In the video, Tkachuk was made to say, “They booed our national anthem, so I had to come out and teach those maple syrup eating f—s a lesson.” The video discloses that it used AI-generated media.
Tkachuk, 26, said on Thursday, “Well, it’s clearly fake, because it’s not my voice, not my lips moving.” He continued, “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,” per the Associated Press.
He went on, “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.”
Tkachuk also addressed the women’s team’s recent White House dispute, saying of the men’s team’s relationship with their counterparts, “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 attributed some of the players’ laughter during the post‑game call to being caught off guard by the moment, saying, “You’re talking to the president 10 minutes after you achieve your dream.”
Regarding his return to Canada and playing for the Ottawa Senators, Tkachuk said: “First and foremost, I’ve given absolutely everything I have as an Ottawa Senator—blood, sweat and tears. When you represent the U.S., being an American, it’s an honor. There are only three teams that have won the gold medal for the U.S., so to be part of that is special.”
What People Are Saying
Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk, Brady’s brother: “Our two teams were so close. We watched other events together. We went and supported them. We loved the women’s team. The women’s team loved us and we’re so proud that we had a clean sweep of gold medals and just so much respect for them and the other athletes.”
Trump, on Truth Social over the weekend: “Congratulations to our great U.S.A. Ice Hockey team. THEY WON THE GOLD. WOW! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
A USA Hockey spokesperson, on Monday: “We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal–winning U.S. Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement. Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate.”
Hilary Knight, captain of the women’s team, on Wednesday: “I thought it was sort of a distasteful joke, and unfortunately that is overshadowing a lot of the success, the success of just women at the Olympics carrying for Team USA and having amazing gold medal feats. We’re just try to focus on celebrating the women in our room, the extraordinary efforts, and continue to celebrate three gold medals in program history as well as the double gold for both men’s and women’s at the same time. And really not detract from that with a distasteful joke.”
Jeremy Swayman, reserve goaltender on the U.S. men’s hockey team, to reporters in the Boston Bruins locker room on Wednesday: “We should’ve reacted differently. We’re so excited for the women’s team and have so much respect for the women’s team. To share that gold medal with them is something that we’re forever grateful for. Now that we’re home, we get to share that together forever and see the incredible support that we have from the USA. And share in this incredible gold medal.”
What Happens Next
Brady Tkachuk is back in Ottawa and will be playing the Detroit Red Wings Thursday night.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.