The former motorsports star has stoked controversy with a cheeky comment on social media

Danica Patrick aimed a jibe at Canada (Image: Getty)
Former NASCAR star and Sky Sports F1 pundit Danica Patrick has taken a cheeky swipe at the men’s Canadian ice hockey team after they were cruelly beaten in overtime by the USA at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics on Sunday. The Canadians were pipped to the gold medal as the USA won 2-1. The achievement represented America’s first gold medal in men’s hockey since 1980.

Patrick, 43, has posted on Instagram to taunt Canada following the win. Referencing President Donald Trump’s repeated claims that Canada should become the United States’ ’51st state’, the ex-IndyCar driver suggested the USA’s neighbours wouldn’t have lost if they had joined together as one nation.

Over a photo of the glum-looking Canadian team, the text read: “If Canada had been smart and become the 51st state, they’d be gold medalists right now.” Patrick then commented above, writing: “Too soon?” complete with a laughing emoji.

It’s perhaps no surprise that Patrick favours the president’s audacious plan to merge the two nations. In October 2024, Patrick shared via Instagram that she had voted for Trump in the 2024 presidential election.

Trump ignited controversy after he claimed Canada could avoid higher taxes if they joined the USA in March 2025. The comments came after the commander in chief placed tariffs on several countries across the globe.

Posting on social media, President Trump said: “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.”

Patrick’s Instagram post (Image: Instagram/DanicaPatrick)

After the USA team’s victory, Trump made a congratulatory phone call, addressing the winning side via speakerphone. “Unbelievable. You were all unbelievable. That team is pretty good you played,” he said.

Trump then told the players they were invited to attend the State of the Union address on Tuesday evening as guests of honour. “I’ll tell you what – I just told my people two minutes ago. I said, we’re giving the State of the Union speech on Tuesday night,” Trump said. “We could send a military plane or something. But if you would like to [attend], it’s the coolest night.

“The nice thing about being president is I can tell you, you don’t have to worry about the weather or landing. We don’t care if it’s snowing, or if it’s the worst blizzard, you’ll be sailing through that sucker just like you did on the ice today. We’ll do the White House the next day. We’ll just have some fun. We have medals for you guys.”

The 79-year-old also referenced the US women’s hockey team, who won Olympic gold on Thursday with their own overtime victory over Canada.

Trump has made remarks about Canada becoming the ’51st state’ (Image: Getty)

“I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team,” he added. “You do know that. I do believe I’d probably would be impeached [if the women’s team wasn’t invited].”

A spokesperson for the women’s team said on Monday that the players would not be able to attend or even visit the White House. Previous commitments were given as the reason.