Canadian anthem singer alters lyrics in bold protest against Trump’s remarks
Chantal Kreviazuk makes a powerful statement during 4 Nations Face-Off final
During the championship game between Canada and the U.S. at the 4 Nations Face-Off, Canadian singer Chantal Kreviazuk made headlines by changing a key lyric in O Canada—a bold act of protest against U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Canada should become the 51st state.
The rivalry between Canada and the U.S. in international hockey is always intense, but this time, the stakes felt even higher. Leading up to Thursday’s final in Boston, tensions had been building both on and off the ice. Trump’s recent comments about making Canada the 51st state, along with ongoing trade disputes, had stirred strong emotions among Canadians.
The hostility was already evident the previous week in Montreal when Canadian fans booed the American national anthem in protest. In response, American fans returned the favor by booing O Canada before the puck dropped in the final game. Adding fuel to the fire, Trump personally called the U.S. team before the match, aiming to inspire them to victory.
But the real moment of the night came not from the crowd or the players—but from the anthem singer herself.
Kreviazuk’s defiant change to O Canada
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During her performance of O Canada, Kreviazuk altered the lyrics from “in all of us command” to “that only us command.” At first, many in the arena thought it was a mistake, but her publicist, Adam Gonshor, later confirmed that the lyric change was intentional.
According to CTV News, citing The Associated Press, Kreviazuk explained her choice:
“Because I believe in democracy, and a sovereign nation should not have to be defending itself against tyranny and fascism.”
She further emphasized that music has always been a platform for expression:
“I grew up on music that spoke to the heart and the moment, and it shaped me as a songwriter and as a human being. It wouldn’t be authentic for me to have a world stage and not express myself or stay true to who I am.”
As a subtle reminder of her message, Kreviazuk had also written the altered lyrics, “that only us command,” on her left hand with mascara. She later posted a photo of it on Instagram, accompanied by a Canadian flag and a flexed muscle emoji.
Canada takes the win—and a united anthem
Despite the controversy, the night ended in celebration for Canadian fans. After a dramatic overtime goal by superstar Connor McDavid, O Canada played once again inside TD Garden. This time, there were no boos—only Canadian players and fans proudly singing along as their flag was raised in victory.
Kreviazuk’s act of protest has sparked heated debate. Some applaud her courage in taking a stand, while others argue that the anthem should remain separate from political statements. Was this a powerful moment of artistic expression, or was it the wrong time and place for such a message? One thing is certain—the conversation is far from over.
