Canadian Anthem Singer Alters Lyrics to Protest Trump’s 51st State Remars/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ During the 4 Nations Face-Off final, Canadian singer Chantal Kreviazuk altered the lyrics of “O Canada” to protest President Trump’s remarks suggesting Canada become the 51st U.S. state. Kreviazuk cited the importance of sovereignty and democracy as reasons for her statement. The move sparked mixed reactions amid heightened U.S.-Canada tensions.
Canadian Anthem Protest Quick Looks:
- Chantal Kreviazuk changed “O Canada” lyrics during the 4 Nations Face-Off final in Boston.
- Altered lyric: “in all of us command” became “that only us command” in protest of Trump’s remarks.
- Trump had suggested Canada become the 51st U.S. state amid trade tensions.
- Kreviazuk said her change reflected a stand for democracy and Canadian sovereignty.
- She wrote the altered lyric on her hand for reference during the performance.
- Fans in Boston lightly booed the anthem; similar boos targeted the U.S. anthem in Montreal.
- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Public Safety Minister David McGuinty rejected Trump’s suggestion.
- NHL declined to comment on the anthem alteration.
- Kreviazuk’s protest received significant attention on social media.
- The incident added to the already charged atmosphere at the Canada-U.S. hockey rivalry game.
Canadian Anthem Singer Alters Lyrics to Protest Trump’s 51st State Remarks
Deep Look:
In a bold display of protest on an international stage, Canadian singer-songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk altered the lyrics of “O Canada” during her performance at the 4 Nations Face-Off final Thursday night. The change was a direct response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated remarks suggesting that Canada become the 51st U.S. state—a comment that has heightened tensions between the neighboring countries.
Performing before Canada’s eventual 3-2 overtime victory over the United States in Boston, Kreviazuk replaced the lyric “in all of us command” with “that only us command,” underscoring Canada’s sovereignty. Her publicist, Adam Gonshor, confirmed the change was intentional and directly related to Trump’s comments.
Speaking to the Associated Press during the game, Kreviazuk elaborated on her decision. “I believe in democracy, and a sovereign nation should not have to defend itself against tyranny and fascism,” she said. “It wouldn’t be true to myself to be given a world stage and not express how I feel.”
To ensure she remembered the revised lyric, Kreviazuk wrote the phrase “that only us command” on her left hand with mascara. She later shared a photo of the message on Instagram, accompanied by a Canadian flag and flexed muscle emojis, emphasizing pride and resilience. “Sometimes you just need to speak the truth through your art,” she added.
While the Boston crowd reacted with light boos, they were quickly overshadowed by Kreviazuk’s powerful delivery. Similar tensions have flared throughout the tournament—most notably in Montreal, where American anthems were met with louder jeers from Canadian fans.
Political figures in Canada were quick to rebuff Trump’s remarks. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau previously dismissed the 51st state suggestion as absurd.
Public Safety Minister David McGuinty quipped, “Sounds like President Trump is worried about the outcome of the hockey game.” He added firmly, “Canada is a sovereign and independent country. It has been for over 150 years and will remain so. The 51st state discussion is a non-starter.”
Trump, meanwhile, sought to rally the U.S. team, calling players before their morning skate to wish them luck. “It was an honor,” said defenseman Noah Hanifin. “We wanted to win for our country and for President Trump.”
The NHL declined to comment on Kreviazuk’s lyrical change, maintaining its neutral stance amid the political tension. However, the moment added an extra layer of intensity to an already electric atmosphere at the TD Garden, where the hockey rivalry mirrored the diplomatic friction.
Kreviazuk’s performance quickly gained traction online, with many praising her for taking a stand. Supporters hailed her as “brave” and “patriotic,” while some critics argued that sports events should remain apolitical.
For Kreviazuk, the decision was about authenticity: “Music has always been about heart and truth for me,” she said.
The incident is the latest in a series of cultural and political flashpoints between the U.S. and Canada amid escalating trade disputes and rhetoric. But for many Canadians watching at home or in the arena, Kreviazuk’s lyric change was more than a protest—it was a proud assertion of national identity.
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