Brady Tkachuk Denounces AI-Generated Video, Addresses White House Visit

US hockey star Brady Tkachuk has publicly refuted an AI-generated video released by the White House that appears to show him making disparaging remarks about Canadians. The incident comes shortly after the US men’s hockey team secured a gold medal victory over Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

AI-Generated Controversy

The White House TikTok account published a video featuring Tkachuk with a dubbed voice stating, They booed our national anthem, so I had to come out and teach those maple syrup eating fuckers a lesson. Tkachuk, captain of the NHL’s Ottawa Senators, immediately dismissed the video as inauthentic.

Well, it’s clearly fake, due to the fact that it’s not my voice, not my lips moving, said Tkachuk on Thursday. The Guardian

Tkachuk emphasized his lack of control over the account and asserted that the sentiments expressed in the video do not reflect his personal views. I’m not in control of any of those accounts. I recognize that those words would never come out of my mouth. So, I can’t do anything about it. he added.

White House Visit and Trump’s Comments

The US team’s Olympic triumph was followed by a visit to the White House and an invitation to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address. During a call with the team, Trump reportedly joked about likewise inviting the women’s team, adding he would be impeached if he didn’t. Some players reportedly laughed at the comment.

Tkachuk acknowledged the unexpected nature of the conversation. It was just a whirlwind of a moment that you can’t really control what somebody says and just caught off guard a little bit, he stated. When you’re talking to the president 10 minutes after achieving your dream, just the fact that you’re talking to the president, you can’t believe that you’re talking to (him).

Support for the Women’s Team

The incident with the AI-generated video and Trump’s comments occurred alongside a separate controversy involving the President’s remarks about the US women’s hockey team. US women’s captain Hilary Knight previously described Trump’s joke as distasteful. Tkachuk expressed support for Knight and her teammates.

I mean, I get it, Tkachuk said. 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. If I see one of them, we’ll talk about the excitement of what we can control, which is to be gold medalists.

Addressing Misinformation

Tkachuk also addressed claims that he shouted Close the northern border during his call with President Trump, stating, 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. He added, It’s crazy when things go on social media, how fast they go. I would never say anything like that.

Looking Ahead

The US men’s team’s visit to the White House and their attendance at the State of the Union address marked a significant moment for the athletes. The women’s team declined the invitation, citing logistical challenges. They have reportedly accepted an invitation from Flavor Flav to celebrate their gold medal in Las Vegas.