Internet discusses Trump's Ovechkin reference in meeting with Canada PM. Here's why.
The internet is debating whether President Donald Trump flubbed over the home country of one of the NHL's biggest stars.
Speaking from the White House on May 6, Trump seemingly referenced Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin when mentioning some of his favorite Canadians.
But Ovechkin is from Russia.
"I love Canada. I have a lot of respect for the Canadians − Wayne Gretzky, The Great One," Trump said. "You happen to have a very, very good hockey player right here on the Capitals, he is a big tough cookie too, just broke the record, and he's a great guy."
While Trump didn't mention Ovechkin by name, he did reference a record recently broken by a Capitals player. Ovechkin broke the NHL record for career goals last month, wiping out the mark Gretzky previously held.
Watch: Trump seems to imply Alex Ovechkin is Canadian
Trump's comments came during the president's meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on May 6.
Trump hasn't clarified his reference to Ovechkin breaking Gretzky's record, though many social media users interpreted the president's comment as him insinuating the hockey star was Canadian. Paste BN has reached out to the White House for comment.
"Trump just mistakenly called Alex Ovechkin a Canadian. SOLD, we’ll take him!" one person wrote.
On the other hand, some seem to think Trump was only mentioning Ovechkin in reference to Gretzky's record.
Gretzky is from Ontario, Canada, while Ovechkin is from Moscow, Russia.
Melina Khan is a trending reporter covering national news for Paste BN. She can be reached at MKhan@gannett.com.