Donald Trump couldn’t help himself when it came to taking a few shots at Canada on Thursday afternoon.
For the second year in a row, Trump welcomed the Stanley Cup-winning Florida Panthers to the White House to recognize them for their big achievement. While congratulating them, he was also sure to throw some shots at the country north of the border.
“You denied Canada the Stanley Cup for the 32nd straight year,” Trump said with a grin. “We have a little competition with Canada.
“They’re great people, though. Great people. We’re doing much better than Canada, but that’s okay, right? We want them to do well, and they’re going to do well.”
Donald Trump with the Florida Panthers: “You denied Canada the Stanley Cup for the 32nd straight year.”
“We have a little competition with Canada. No, they're great people, though. We’re doing much better than Canada, but that's okay, right?
Almost half the Panthers' roster is… pic.twitter.com/5SZIiCxSwy
— Harrison Faulkner (@Harry__Faulkner) January 15, 2026
What Trump seemed to have forgotten, or perhaps not known at all, is that the Panthers had nine Canadians suit up for them in last year’s playoffs, compared to just five Americans. Nonetheless, he was correct on a U.S. team winning its 32nd straight Cup, as the last Canadian team to do so was the Montreal Canadiens back in 1993.
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Overall, it seemed to be a great day for the Panthers, who had smiles on their faces throughout the entire ceremony.
“We’re so honoured to be here,” Matthew Tkachuk said. “Being an American, I know I said this last year, but nothing beats this. I’m so proud to be an American and so proud to be here with you and everybody else.”
The Panthers may be in a tough spot for a three-peat this year, as they are currently five points behind the Boston Bruins for a wild-card spot. Injuries have played a big part in that, as both Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov have yet to play a game this season.
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