In a surprising twist to holiday conversations, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump revealed that he encouraged Canadian hockey icon Wayne Gretzky to consider a run for the position of Prime Minister of Canada during a Christmas Day encounter at a private gathering.

Trump, who shared this anecdote on his Truth Social platform, stated, “I just left Wayne Gretzky, ‘The Great One’ as he is known in hockey circles,” and followed up with an unsolicited pitch for Gretzky's political career. “I said, ‘Wayne, why don’t you run for prime minister of Canada, soon to be known as the governor of Canada — you would win easily, you wouldn’t even have to campaign.’ He had no interest,” Trump noted.

The remark referring to Canada becoming a “governor” underlines Trump’s recurrent jest about the country possibly becoming a state of the U.S., a suggestion that Canadian officials hasten to label as nothing more than humor. Nevertheless, Trump portrayed the idea of a Gretzky-led government as an entertaining prospect, suggesting it could spark a grassroots movement among Canadians to bring the legendary athlete into politics.

Amid these musings, experts have turned their attention to more pressing matters, such as the potential for disruptive tariffs resulting from Trump's presidency rather than engaging with his lighthearted rhetoric about Canada becoming part of the U.S. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau finds himself navigating a precarious political landscape, with his minority government facing potential instability following the unexpected resignation of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.

In a juxtaposition of public relations, Trump also extended Christmas greetings to Trudeau, yet continued to refer to him as a “governor.” Trump claimed that if Canada were to join the U.S., taxpayers could expect cuts exceeding 60 percent, along with assurances that Canadian businesses would thrive in an American market, “doubling in size,” and receiving unprecedented military protection.

In the realm of Canadian political involvement, Gretzky has shown a penchant for supporting conservative candidates, such as backing Ontario's Patrick Brown. He even participated in a notable event during the 2015 federal election where he praised then-Conservative leader Stephen Harper, deeming him an “unreal prime minister” and acknowledging his contributory role in the nation's governance.

This latest chapter of Trump's playful suggestions raises the question of whether Canadians would rally behind a hockey legend stepping into the political arena. While Gretzky currently displays no interest in a political career, the combination of celebrity and politics continues to captivate public imagination. The future of Canadian politics could potentially hinge on whether 'The Great One' decides to trade in his skates for political footwear. Will Gretzky heed the call, or will Trump’s recommendations fall on deaf ears? Only time will tell.