Sky Sports F1 Pundit Danica Patrick Sparks Controversy with Canada Hockey Jibe
Sky Sports F1 analyst Danica Patrick has ignited a social media firestorm by cheekily mocking the Canadian men's ice hockey team following their heartbreaking overtime loss at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. The Canadians were narrowly defeated 2-1 by the United States in the gold medal match on Sunday, marking America's first men's hockey gold since the iconic 1980 "Miracle on Ice."
Patrick's Provocative Instagram Post Targets Canada
The 43-year-old former NASCAR and IndyCar star took to Instagram to post a pointed dig at Canada in the aftermath of the USA's dramatic victory. Over a photo of the dejected Canadian team, text read: "If Canada had been smart and become the 51st state, they'd be gold medalists right now." Patrick added her own caption above the image, writing "Too soon?" accompanied by a laughing emoji.
This controversial remark directly references former President Donald Trump's repeated suggestions that Canada should become the United States' "51st state" to avoid tariffs and strengthen economic ties. Patrick's political alignment with Trump is well-documented, as she publicly revealed via Instagram in October 2024 that she voted for Trump in the 2024 presidential election.
Trump's 51st State Proposal and Olympic Aftermath
Trump first floated the contentious idea of Canadian statehood in March 2025 while imposing tariffs on several nations worldwide. Taking to social media at the time, Trump stated: "The only thing that makes sense is for Canada to become our cherished 51st state. This would make all tariffs, and everything else, totally disappear."
Following the USA team's Olympic triumph, Trump made a congratulatory phone call to the victorious players via speakerphone. "Unbelievable. You were all unbelievable. That team is pretty good you played," the 79-year-old former president remarked. He then extended a formal invitation for the team to attend the State of the Union address as guests of honor, promising military transport regardless of weather conditions.
Women's Team Declines White House Invitation
Trump also mentioned the US women's hockey team, who secured their own gold medal with an overtime victory over Canada just days earlier. "I must tell you, we're going to have to bring the women's team," Trump added during the call. "You do know that. I do believe I'd probably would be impeached [if the women's team wasn't invited]."
However, a representative for the women's team stated on Monday that the players would be unable to attend the White House event or even visit due to prior commitments. This development follows previous reports of the women's team snubbing Trump after a controversial phone call earlier in the Olympics.
Broader Context and Reactions
The incident highlights the intersection of sports, politics, and celebrity commentary in modern media. Patrick's remarks have drawn mixed reactions from fans and commentators alike, with some viewing them as harmless banter and others as unnecessarily provocative given the sensitive political context surrounding US-Canada relations.
As a prominent Sky Sports F1 pundit, Patrick's foray into Olympic hockey commentary demonstrates how sports personalities increasingly engage with political discourse through social media platforms. The controversy also underscores the ongoing tension between athletic achievement and geopolitical narratives during international competitions like the Winter Olympics.
