Brady Tkachuk has publicly condemned a manipulated video shared by the White House that falsely showed him using an anti-Canadian slur after Team USA’s Olympic hockey victory.
- The Fake Video That Sparked Outrage
- Tkachuk’s Response: ‘Not My Voice, Not My Lips’
- Also Denied: The ‘Close the Northern Border’ Claim
- The White House Response
- From Olympic Glory to White House Honor
- The Women’s Team Takes a Different Path
- Hughes on Politics and Patriotism
- The Bigger Picture: AI and Misinformation
The 26-year-old Ottawa Senators captain called the AI-generated clip “clearly fake” and insisted the hateful words attributed to him would never come out of his mouth.
The Fake Video That Sparked Outrage
The White House posted a TikTok video featuring fabricated audio that falsely portrayed Tkachuk referring to Canadians as “maple syrup-eating f–ks.”
The clip was shared following Team USA’s dramatic 2-1 overtime win against Canada on February 22 at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The White House captioned the video with “Silver does NOT shine just as bright 🥇🦅” and included a small disclaimer stating “Contains AI-generated media.”
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But the manipulation was obvious to careful viewers. Tkachuk’s mouth movements did not match the audio track. The voice itself sounded unnatural and synthesized.
Tkachuk’s Response: ‘Not My Voice, Not My Lips’
When questioned by reporters about the controversial clip, Tkachuk did not hold back.
“It’s clearly fake because it’s not my voice and not my lips moving,” he said. “I’m not in control of any of those accounts. I know that those words would never come out of my mouth.”
He emphasized that the fabricated comments contradict everything he stands for as both an athlete and a person.
“I would never say that. That’s not who I am,” Tkachuk added.
His denial carries extra weight because he plays professionally in Canada for the Ottawa Senators. He spends his career building relationships with Canadian teammates, coaches, and fans. The fake video threatened to undermine that connection.
Also Denied: The ‘Close the Northern Border’ Claim
Tkachuk also addressed another viral moment from the post-Olympic celebrations.
During a locker room phone call with President Donald Trump after the gold medal win, someone in the background could be heard shouting “close the northern border.” Many online speculated the voice belonged to Tkachuk.
He flatly rejected that assumption.
“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 never say,” he explained.
He expressed confusion about why the rumor gained traction given his deep ties to Canada through his professional career.
“I don’t really know how that kind of took a storm on its own when I play here and give everything I have here,” Tkachuk said.
The White House Response
The White House has not commented on Tkachuk’s criticism of the AI-generated video. Their original TikTok post remains live with the disclaimer about its artificial nature.
This incident raises serious questions about the use of manipulated media by official government accounts. While the video included a disclosure label, critics argue that such content can still mislead viewers who may not notice the fine print.
The line between humor, propaganda, and misinformation becomes increasingly blurred when government entities share fabricated content featuring real people.
From Olympic Glory to White House Honor
The controversy comes amid celebratory moments for the U.S. men’s hockey team.
After their historic gold medal win, the team received a personal phone call from President Trump inviting them to the White House. They accepted and became guests of honor at the State of the Union address on February 24.
During the speech, Trump acknowledged the athletes, calling them “a group of winners who have made our nation proud.” The audience responded with chants of “USA.”
Team USA’s victory marked their first Olympic gold in men’s hockey since the legendary 1980 Miracle on Ice. Jack Hughes scored the game-winning goal in overtime, securing his place in American hockey history.
The Women’s Team Takes a Different Path
The U.S. women’s hockey team also won gold at the Olympics, defeating Canada 2-1 three days before the men’s final. But they declined the White House invitation.
A spokesperson for USA Hockey cited “previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games” as the reason. The women’s team had already returned to their colleges and jobs.
During the locker room call with the men’s team, Trump joked about the situation.
“I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team,” he said with a laugh. “You do know that. I do believe I’d probably would be impeached if the women’s team wasn’t invited.”
Hughes on Politics and Patriotism
Jack Hughes, the hero of the gold medal game, addressed the political dimensions of the White House visit in an interview.
“Everything is so political. We’re athletes,” Hughes said. “We’re so proud to represent the U.S. and we get the chance to go to the White House, meet the president. You know, we’re proud to be Americans. No matter what your views are, we’re super excited to go.”
When asked about the women’s team declining their invitation, Hughes simply replied, “They’ve got busy schedules, too.”
The Bigger Picture: AI and Misinformation
This incident highlights growing concerns about artificial intelligence being used to create fake content involving real people.
The technology to manipulate video and audio has become increasingly sophisticated and accessible. Government entities sharing such content, even with disclaimers, sets a concerning precedent.
For Tkachuk, the stakes are personal and professional. He must now counter a false narrative about his character that originated from the highest levels of government.
His response has been consistent: deny, clarify, and reaffirm his values.
