President Donald Trump shared an unusual AI-created video early Monday, February 23, 2026, portraying himself as a hockey star in the U.S. men’s Olympic gold medal victory over Canada. The clip showed him scoring goals, throwing punches, and leaving the penalty box to secure the win.
In the video, Trump was shown knocking Canadian players to the ice, sitting confidently in the penalty box after hitting an opponent, and then skating out to score what looked like the decisive goal as U.S. teammates swarmed him. He posted the video on Truth Social, along with a message from Kari Lake praising him as “Trump, The ENFORCER!”
The president’s self-promotional video appeared just hours after the U.S. men’s hockey team defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime on Sunday, claiming its first Olympic gold in 46 years. The win at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena was a milestone for Team USA, whose last men’s hockey gold came during the legendary 1980 “Miracle on Ice.”
Trump’s video seemed to build on the White House’s earlier mocking of Canada and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The administration posted an image of a bald eagle grabbing a Canadian goose, paired with Trudeau’s comments from the previous year’s Four Nations Face-Off tournament.
“You can’t take our country — and you can’t take our game,” Trudeau had said after Canada beat the U.S. in that tournament, which occurred while Trump was raising tensions with tariff threats and talk of turning Canada into the 51st state.
Following Sunday’s gold medal win, Trump issued several Truth Social posts congratulating the U.S. team. He also phoned the players, suggesting he could use military aircraft to bring them to his State of the Union address on Tuesday and proposing a White House visit the next day. FBI Director Kash Patel held the phone during the call as Trump laughed while the players cheered.
However, Trump drew criticism for joking about needing to invite the women’s hockey team to the White House after their own 2-1 overtime gold medal victory over Canada on Thursday. Megan Keller scored the winning overtime goal, giving the U.S. women their third Olympic gold.
“And we have to — I must tell you — we’re going to have to bring the women’s team,” Trump said. “I do believe I probably would be impeached, OK?”
Both U.S. teams went undefeated and beat Canada 2-1 in overtime. The women’s gold was their first since 2018 and third overall, with previous wins in 1998 and 2018.
The U.S. women’s hockey team declined Trump’s invitation to attend his State of the Union address on February 25, 2026, citing scheduling conflicts. In a statement through USA Hockey, the team expressed appreciation for the recognition but explained that “due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate.” The decision came days after Trump extended the offer during his call with the men’s teams.
Trump’s upbeat response to the hockey victories stood in contrast to his earlier treatment of certain Olympians. He had called freestyle skier Hunter Hess a “loser” for expressing mixed feelings about competing for the U.S. Vice President JD Vance and other conservatives also criticized athletes who commented on political issues.
The U.S. men’s hockey team honored the late Johnny Gaudreau after their win, lifting his No. 13 jersey and bringing two of his children onto the ice for the celebration.
Team USA concluded the Milan Cortina Olympics in second place behind Norway in both gold medals and total medals, earning 12 golds and 33 overall. Norway finished with 18 golds and 41 total. The hockey triumphs capped a strong showing from American athletes.
Patel faced criticism of his own after reportedly using a government jet to fly to Italy, where he was photographed drinking beers with the U.S. men’s team. Critics called the trip, which allegedly cost taxpayers around $75,000, an improper use of government resources.
The AI-created video was the latest example of Trump using artificial intelligence to place himself into major news stories and cultural moments. He has frequently shared AI-generated posts depicting himself in dramatic or heroic roles.
Trump’s ongoing dispute with Canada has intensified recently, with the president threatening to block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario. Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens called the threat “just insane.”
The president has repeatedly warned Canada against strengthening trade ties with China, even claiming at one point that China would “terminate ALL Ice Hockey being played in Canada, and permanently eliminate The Stanley Cup” if Canada pursued closer relations with Beijing.
The Olympic hockey victories provided a momentary highlight for the U.S., but Trump’s AI video and continued threats suggested that tensions with Canada remain elevated. Regardless of political controversies, the gold medals represented a significant accomplishment for American athletes.
