Canadian anthem singer changes lyric to protest Trump at 4 Nations Face-Off
The Brief
Trump's repeated comments about Canada becoming the 51st state have brought politics onto the ice.
A lyric change at the 4 Nations Face-Off hockey championship is the latest sign of rising tensions between the U.S. and its longtime ally.
The singer who performed the Canadian anthem before the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game Thursday night changed a lyric in "O Canada" to protest President Donald Trump's repeated comments about annexing Canada as the 51st state.
Chantal Kreviazuk changed the lyric from "in all of us command" to "that only us command."
Trump, meanwhile, repeated his calls for Canada to become the 51st state on Thursday afternoon, before the start of the hockey championship game.
Kreviazuk later confirmed that the lyric change was in response to Trump.
What they're saying
During Canada's 3-2 overtime victory, Kreviazuk told The Associated Press that she did it "because I believe in democracy, and a sovereign nation should not have to be defending itself against tyranny and fascism."
RELATED: What would it take for Canada to become the 51st state?
"I'm somebody who grew up on music that spoke to the heart and the moment, and it shaped me as a songwriter and really as a human being," she added. "I don't think it would be authentic to me to be given a world stage and not express myself and be true to myself."
Kreviazuk, who is from Winnipeg, Manitoba, also wrote the phrase "that only us command" with mascara on her left hand. She posted a picture of that on her Instagram.
"I just put it on there so if I ever had a moment and I kind of froze, I would be able to look at my hand and see it," Kreviazuk said. "I'd love to see people sort of get inspired and catch the fire and say their heart more in their art. ... Sometimes you just got to speak the truth in your art and it's awesome. That's what it should be about."
The NHL declined to comment.
Fans in Boston lightly booed Kreviazuk's version, though it was soon drowned out by her singing. The crowd in Montreal booed "The Star-Spangled Banner" prior to U.S. tournament games at Bell Centre last week, more vociferously before the team faced Canada.
Big picture view
Tensions have risen between the neighbors and longtime allies over the past several weeks as Trump has suggested multiple times that Canada become the 51st U.S. state. He's threatening steep tariffs as a way to force Canada into becoming part of the U.S.
"I think they have to become the 51st state," Trump said Thursday. "And, you heard the people booing the national anthem, but I think ultimately they'll be praising the national anthem. We'll have to work out some deal with it, because I do like the 'O Canada' … It's a beautiful thing. I think we're going to have to keep it for the 51st state."
The other side
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that will never happen.
"You can't take our country — and you can't take our game," Trudeau posted on X after Canada won the hockey championship.
David McGuinty, Canada's Public Safety Minister, said the same when asked about it Thursday.
"Canada is a sovereign and independent country. It has been for over 150 years and will remain so. This discussion of 51st state is a non-starter," McGuinty said.
The Source
This report includes information from The Associated Press and previous LiveNow from FOX reporting.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Trump gets played as world leaders he admires see through his theatrics
Jen Psaki looks at the effort Donald Trump is putting into trying to make himself look like a third world tough guy even as the tough guy world leaders he admires keep making it clear they don't respect him.
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
'No Kings' demonstrators to gather across Greater Cincinnati in opposition to Trump
A string of protests is planned throughout Greater Cincinnati as part of a nationwide movement opposed to President Donald Trump and his administration. The June 14 "No Kings" protests, organized by activist group Indivisible and its partners, are described as a "nationwide day of defiance." Events are slated to take place in nearly 2,000 communities across the nation to oppose what organizers describe as "corrupt, authoritarian politics." Numerous protests are scheduled to take place in the afternoon locally throughout Greater Cincinnati, including: Cincinnati – University Pavilion (University of Cincinnati): 2618 University Circle, Cincinnati, Ohio 45219. Union Township – Veterans Memorial Park: 906 Clough Pike, 45245. Loveland – Loveland Elementary School: 600 Loveland-Madeira Road, Loveland, Ohio 45140. Mason – Intersection of Mason Montgomery Road and Tylersville Road, 45040. West Chester Township – Intersection of Tylersville Road and Cox Lane, 45069. Hamilton – Intersection of South Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard and High Street, 45011. Middletown – Towne Mall: 3461 Towne Blvd., 45005. Oxford – Uptown Park: intersection of Main Street and High Street, 45056. Falling on Flag Day and Trump's birthday, the day of protest is intended to help counter Trump's planned Washington, D.C. military parade. It also coincides with large-scale protests in Los Angeles, which erupted in response to Trump's immigration policy. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency is carrying out a directive from Trump to find immigrants living in the United States without legal status. The aggressive crackdown has fueled anger and protests in Los Angeles and across the country, which have led to hundreds of arrests amid occasional violent clashes, vandalism and looting. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered on June 8 outside the Butler County Jail to protest the arrest of 19-year-old Honduran immigrant Emerson Colindres, who was detained by ICE agents on June 4 during a routine check-in with immigration officials at the agency's office in Blue Ash. The Enquirer will have reporters covering the protests and will update this story. USA TODAY contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 'No Kings' protests on June 14 to counter Trump, military parade in DC
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Cities brace for large crowds at anti-Trump 'No Kings' demonstrations across the US
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Cities large and small were preparing for major demonstrations Saturday across the U.S. against President Donald Trump, as officials urge calm, National Guard troops mobilize and Trump attends a military parade in Washington to mark the Army's 250th anniversary. A flagship 'No Kings' march and rally are planned in Philadelphia, but no events are scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C., where the military parade will take place on Trump's birthday The demonstrations are gaining additional fuel from protests flaring up around the country over federal immigration enforcement raids and Trump ordering National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles where protesters blocked a freeway and set cars on fire. Police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and flash-bang grenades while officials enforced curfews in Los Angeles and Democratic governors called Trump's Guard deployment 'an alarming abuse of power' that "shows the Trump administration does not trust local law enforcement.' Governors and city officials vowed to protect the right to protest and to show no tolerance for violence. Republican governors in Virginia, Texas, Nebraska and Missouri are mobilizing National Guard troops to help law enforcement manage demonstrations. There will be 'zero tolerance' for violence, destruction or disrupting traffic, and "if you violate the law, you're going to be arrested," Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin told reporters Friday. In Missouri, Gov. Mike Kehoe issued a similar message, vowing to take a proactive approach and not to 'wait for chaos to ensue." Nebraska's governor on Friday also signed an emergency proclamation for activating his state's National Guard, a step his office called 'a precautionary measure in reaction to recent instances of civil unrest across the country.' Organizers say that one march will go to the gates of Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, where Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis warned demonstrators that the 'line is very clear' and not to cross it. Governors also urged calm. On social media, Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, called for peaceful protests over the weekend, to ensure Trump doesn't send military to the state. 'Donald Trump wants to be able to say that we cannot handle our own public safety in Washington state,' Ferguson said. In a statement Friday, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, urged 'protestors to remain peaceful and calm as they exercise their First Amendment right to make their voices heard.' Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, said his administration and state police are working with police in Philadelphia ahead of what organizers estimate could be a crowd approaching 100,000 people. Philadelphia's top prosecutor, District Attorney Larry Krasner, warned that anyone coming to Philadelphia to break the law or immigration agents exceeding their authority will face arrest. He invoked civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. as a guide for demonstrators. 'If you are doing what Martin Luther King would have done, you're going to be fine," Krasner told a news conference. Some law enforcement agencies announced they were ramping up efforts for the weekend. In California, state troopers will be on 'tactical alert," which means all days off are cancelled for all officers. Why is it called 'No Kings'? The 'No Kings' theme was orchestrated by the 50501 Movement, to support democracy and against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration. The name 50501 stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement. Protests earlier this year have denounced Trump and billionaire adviser Elon Musk. Protesters have called for Trump to be 'dethroned' as they compare his actions to that of a king and not a democratically elected president. Why are they protesting on Saturday? The No Kings Day of Defiance has been organized to reject authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics and the militarization of the country's democracy, according to a statement by organizers. Organizers intend for the protests to counter the Army's 250th anniversary celebration — which Trump has ratcheted up to include a military parade, which is estimated to cost $25 million to $45 million that the Army expects to attract as many as 200,000 people. The event will feature hundreds of military vehicles and aircraft and thousands of soldiers. It also happens to be Trump's 79th birthday and Flag Day. 'The flag doesn't belong to President Trump. It belongs to us,' the 'No Kings' website says. 'On June 14th, we're showing up everywhere he isn't — to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings.' What is planned at the 'No Kings' protests? Protests in nearly 2,000 locations are scheduled around the country, from city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, organizers said. Demonstrations are expected to include speeches and marches, organizers said in a call Wednesday. The group says a core principle behind all 'No Kings' events is a commitment to nonviolent action, and participants are expected to seek to de-escalate any confrontation. No weapons of any kind should be taken to 'No Kings' events, according to the website. How many people are expected to participate? The No Kings Day of Defiance is expected to be the largest single-day mobilization since Trump returned to office, organizers said. Organizers said they are preparing for millions of people to take to the streets across all 50 states and commonwealths.
