Brady Tkachuk miffed over White House AI-doctored video

Brady Tkachuk, the captain of the Ottawa Senators and a gold medalist with Team USA, recently expressed his displeasure regarding an AI-doctored video released by the White House. The video, which was published on the official TikTok account of the White House, featured manipulated footage that made it appear as though Tkachuk was disparaging Canadians.

Background of the Incident

The controversial video was released on a Sunday and showcased altered footage from a news conference involving the Tkachuk brothers during the 4 Nations Face-Off held in February. Accompanied by the song “Free Bird,” which is associated with Team USA, the video falsely portrayed Tkachuk saying, “They booed our national anthem, so I had to come out and teach those maple syrup eating f—s a lesson.”

Since its release, the video has garnered significant attention, amassing over 11.1 million views on TikTok and spreading widely across various social media platforms. Tkachuk addressed the situation during a media availability in Ottawa following Team USA’s victory over Canada for the gold medal in men’s Olympic ice hockey in Milan.

Tkachuk’s Response

In his remarks, Tkachuk was clear about his feelings regarding the doctored video. “Well, it’s clearly fake, because it’s not my voice, not my lips moving,” he stated. “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.”

When asked if he enjoyed the video, Tkachuk reiterated his stance: “It’s not my voice. It’s not what I was saying. 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.”

Clarification on Social Media Misunderstandings

In addition to addressing the AI video, Tkachuk also clarified a misunderstanding regarding a comment made during Team USA’s locker room celebration. Some social media users speculated that Tkachuk was the one who shouted, “Close the northern border!” during a congratulatory call with President Donald Trump.

He stated, “I’ve been seeing stuff that people think it’s me. But if you watch the video, it’s not my voice or something that I never say. I don’t know how that took a storm on its own when I give everything I have here.”

Tkachuk emphasized the speed at which misinformation can spread on social media, stating, “It’s crazy when things go on social media, how fast they go. I would never say anything like that.”

Trump’s Comment and Its Aftermath

The call with President Trump included a comment that has since been criticized. Trump made a joke about needing to invite the U.S. women’s hockey team to the State of the Union address, saying, “I do believe I probably would be impeached” if he did not. While some players laughed at the comment, it was met with backlash from others.

Team USA star Hilary Knight described the joke as “distasteful,” noting that it overshadowed the success of the women’s team in Milan. Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman also expressed that the team should have reacted differently to the comment.

Tkachuk’s Support for Women’s Hockey

Despite the controversy, Tkachuk highlighted the positive relationship between the men’s and women’s teams during the Olympics. He noted that both teams supported each other, attending games and spending time together in the Olympic Village.

He acknowledged the feelings of the women’s players regarding Trump’s comment, stating, “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.”

Reflecting on the moment, Tkachuk said, “If I see one of them, we’ll talk about the excitement of what we can control, which is to be gold medalists.”

Emotional Impact of Winning Gold

Tkachuk, one of five Team USA players whose NHL clubs are based in Canada, celebrated the gold medal win with his teammates in Miami before attending the State of the Union address in Washington. He described the experience as “special,” noting, “Being an American citizen, you never really think you’re going to see the White House and be in the Oval Office.”

However, he also acknowledged the awkwardness of helping the U.S. defeat Canada for the gold medal while serving as captain for a team based in Canada’s capital. “It’s just such a passionate fan base,” he explained. “I said this after 4 Nations: It’s a unique feeling when every single day the support from this fan base and then for three weeks they’re not cheering for you. It’s a crazy feeling.”

Tkachuk concluded by emphasizing his commitment to his role as an Ottawa Senator, stating, “I’ve given absolutely everything I have as an Ottawa Senator. When you represent the U.S., it’s about being an American. It’s an honor. There’s only three teams that ever won the gold medal. I wanted to achieve my childhood dream and bring a gold medal back to the U.S.”

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