Wayne Gretzky under fire again because of Donald Trump

Despite his legendary status on the ice, Wayne Gretzky continues to draw criticism, and this week, some people in his hometown of Brantford made their displeasure known.

Just like what happened last March near Edmonton’s Rogers Place, a statue of the former Oilers superstar was targeted once again because of his friendly ties with U.S. President Donald Trump. According to Canada Life, a bright red “Make America Great Again” hat was placed on the statue outside the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre. The individuals behind the stunt also left a plaque at the base of the monument criticizing the “downfall of the greatest.”

“Alright folks, can we stop treating Gretzky like a hero?” reads a temporary plaque. “Eh, back in the day he was a real beaut on the ice…. But now he can’t stop playing putt putt with Epstein’s top shelf bud.”

Gretzky has faced waves of backlash for supporting Trump, whom he has met several times. The president’s comments about wanting Canada to become the 51st American state have especially angered people across the country, adding fuel to the controversy.

This isn’t the first time Gretzky-related statues have been targeted. During last season, the bronze sculpture in Edmonton was vandalized, and protestors even launched a petition to rename the avenue that bears his name in Alberta’s capital.

To make things worse for the Great One, this marks the second viral moment involving Gretzky in just a matter of weeks.

At last week’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Final Draw, Gretzky went viral again: this time for mispronouncing several country names on live television. Social media blew up when he introduced Macedonia as “Mack-a-donia” and Curaçao as “Corocco,” prompting jokes, memes, and plenty of reaction online.

From vandalized statues to World Cup slip-ups, Gretzky has found himself at the centre of internet attention for reasons far removed from hockey.