The White House’s official TikTok account posted a celebratory video on Sunday after the U.S. men’s hockey team defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime to win its first Olympic gold medal since 1980.
As of Thursday afternoon, the video had been viewed 11.1 million times on social media platforms and had more than 14,000 comments. The film was also edited using AI, and Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk was irritated by the depiction of Canadians in a disrespectful way.
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The video begins with a clip from the press conference for the Four Nations match last February. Brady and his brother Matthew, a standout left winger for the Florida Panthers, sit next to each other.
“Free Bird,” USA Hockey’s goal song through the Milan-Cortina Olympics, plays in the background of the video, which prompts Brady Tkachuk to say, “They booed our national anthem, so I had to come out and teach that maple syrup-eating motherfucker a lesson.”
Below the video’s caption is a disclaimer: “Contains AI-generated media.”
“Well, it’s obviously fake because it’s not my voice and my lips aren’t moving,” Tkachuk said Thursday.
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“I don’t control those accounts. I know those words will never come out of my mouth. So there’s nothing I can do.”
When asked if he liked the video, Tkachuk pointed out how it misrepresented him.
“Do you like it? That’s not my voice. That’s not what I said,” he said. “I would never say that. That’s not me. I think that’s why I don’t like that video, because that never comes out of my mouth. I never think about it.”
Afterwards, Tkachuk shook his head when asked if the fallout from the U.S. gold medal and the Olympics could affect his desire to play in Ottawa.
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“That never even crossed my mind,” the Senators’ star left wing said. “I love playing for this team. I love the players in this room and I truly believe in what we’re aiming for.”
Tkachuk was one of several U.S. men’s hockey players who traveled to Washington, D.C., after a dramatic victory over Canada at this year’s Olympics.
President Donald Trump invited the team to the White House and Tuesday’s State of the Union address, but the postgame phone call in particular was a controversial moment.
President Trump joked that he had to invite the women’s team as well, or else “I’d probably be impeached.”
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Several players on the U.S. men’s hockey team laughed after President Trump’s remarks, drawing criticism from many in the days since.
Jeremy Swayman, the American goaltender who plays for the Boston Bruins, admitted Wednesday that he and his teammates “should have reacted differently.”
Appearing on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” on Wednesday, U.S. women’s hockey icon Hilary Knight called President Trump’s comments “a disgusting joke,” but characterized the players’ reaction as a “quick blunder” that overshadowed what she believed was a “genuine level” of support and respect for the U.S. women’s team, which won the gold medal by defeating Canada in overtime.
“They know we supported them throughout the tournament,” Tkachuk said Thursday. “I think there were 15 of us in one of the lounges at the game when Megan Keller hit the OT winner.” [Olympic] The village, and we were all on our feet, rapt and clapping.
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“They had just achieved a dream and that gave us great motivation to win gold ourselves.”
Another moment from Trump’s phone call has come under scrutiny this week, with some online accusing Tkachuk of telling him to “close the northern border.”
“I’ve seen things like what people think I am,” he said, “but if you watch the video, it’s not my voice, it’s never what I said. I really don’t understand how that could have just taken a storm when I’m out here playing and giving everything I’ve got here.”
He added: “It’s crazy how fast things move on social media. Of course I would never say anything like that.”
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Tkachuk is currently in the awkward position of starring on Canada’s NHL Senators and being a key member of USA Hockey.
“As a member of the U.S. team, I wanted to fulfill my childhood dream and bring a gold medal back to the United States,” Tkachuk said.
“Everyone here, it’s a very passionate fan base. Of course they support their respective countries. As I said after the 4 Nations, it’s a unique feeling to feel the support from this amazing fan base every day and then not be rooting for them for two or three weeks.”
