READ MORE: US hockey fans boo Canadian national anthem
Canadian singer Chantal Kreviazuk took a shot at Donald Trump‘s threats to annex her home country by changing the words to its national anthem before their hockey showdown with USA in Boston.
The countries, contesting the championship for the 4 Nations Face-Off, have seen their rivalry turbocharged in recent weeks by Trump’s suggestions that the United States should annex Canada as a 51st state.
In response, America’s neighbor to the north has used the tournament to express their displeasure, with Canadians booing the Star-Spangled Banner when games were held in Montreal.
The rivalry reached new levels on Thursday night when Kreviazuk performed ‘O Canada,’ and changed the line ‘in all of us command’ to ‘in only us command,’ suggesting that Trump had better stay out.
A representative for the singer told the CBC that the switch was done on purpose in response to Trump.
The performance was controversial to begin with some calling it the ‘worst’ ever while others missed her intentional lyric switch-up and mocked her for not knowing the words.
Kreviazuk also held her note when she sang ‘free’ and was accused of being out of tune by some viewers.
‘That might be the worst Canadian anthem I’ve heard… Wow. I’m sure she was nervous but messing up lyrics multiple times in the first sentence is crazy,’ one wrote on X.
Chantal Kreviazuk changed the lyrics to the Canadian national anthem ahead of the game
Donald Trump has suggested that the United States could annex Canada as a 51st state
‘That singer that sang the Canadian anthem, is from Canada… Why didn’t she know the lyrics ??,’ another asked.
‘I dont know it, obviously, but it lowkey sounded like the woman singing the canadian anthem was singing like she was only about 70% sure she knew the lyrics lol,’ a third added.
In front of the crowd in Boston, Kreviazuk’s rendition was booed by American fans.
But one fan claimed, ‘That Chantal Kreviazuk anthem was more disrespectful than any booing could ever be.’
‘Im sorry, Chantal Kreviazuk should be embarrassed and owes the country an apology for that performance of the Canadian national anthem,’ a different fan chimed in.
Trump has also stoked the fire between the two countries by threatening to issue new tariffs to the Northern neighbors and even referring to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as ‘governor.’
Earlier in the day, the president wished the United States’ players good luck with a phone call.
‘I just want to wish you a lot of luck. You really are a skilled group of people,’ he said. ‘It’s an honor to talk to you… We love you guys. We’ll be watching tonight. Bring it home.
Aside from Canadian fans who didn’t like the rendition, it was also booed by American fans in Boston
At Thursday night’s game between the US and Finland held at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canadian fans in attendance began heartily booing the American national anthem.
It comes amid heightened tensions between the two nations that were sparked by provocative rhetoric from President Trump – including threats of a trade war due to an increase of tariffs on Canadian goods.
When asked about the reception, USA alternate captain and Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk simply said, ‘I didn’t like it. That’s all I got.’
In recent years, the fierce hockey rivalry between the US and Canada has only gained in its competitiveness. Because of that, some players are viewing the booing of the anthem as extra fuel to fire them up.
‘I think we like it,’ said New York Rangers forward JT Miller. ‘Not politically, but maybe just as a sense of, we know where we’re at in Canada and I think that fires us up more than anything. So it’s great.’
‘Everyone has their own views on things,’ said Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber. ‘I’m honored to wear the red, white and blue. For us, we’re just focused on winning games.
‘Obviously, the fans here are going to be against us. And, you know, it’s going to be the same thing when it’s USA-Canada, or whoever, USA-Sweden back home in Boston, right?’
Amid a backdrop of heightened political tension between the United States and Canada, attendees at a 4 Nations Faceoff game featuring the US in Montreal booed the national anthem
Provocative rhetoric from President Trump has strained the relationship between the countries
Team USA coach Mike Sullivan, who also coaches the Pittsburgh Penguins, says the booing won’t distract the team from its intended goal of winning the tournament and that everyone in the locker room is honored to represent the nation.
‘These guys are hockey players, and they’re here to play hockey,’ Sullivan said. ‘They’re also proud Americans and it’s a privilege to represent your nation, and all of us that have the opportunity to participate and be part of this U.S. team. It means a lot to all of us.
‘We just want to play hockey. We want to compete. We want to represent our nation in the right way.’
Earlier this month, Trump signed an executive order to implement a 25 percent tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico.
The measure, which would begin on March 4, has yet to kick in, though his recent rhetoric has troubled those up North.
‘I think Canada would be better off being the 51st state because we lose $200 billion a year to Canada, and I’m not going to let that happen, it’s too much,’ he said. ‘Why are we paying $200 billion a year essentially as a subsidy?’
The NHL has taken a pause for the ‘4 Nations Faceoff’ – a mini tournament held between the USA, Canada, Sweden, and Finland as a tune-up before NHL players are finally allowed to compete again at the Winter Olympics.