Brady Tkachuk Condemns AI-Doctored Video: 'It's Not Who I Am'

NHL Star Speaks Out Against Controversial White House TikTok Clip

Apr. 11, 2026 at 10:29pm

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An AI-generated video from the White House's official TikTok account has sparked controversy, leaving NHL star Brady Tkachuk feeling misrepresented. The doctored clip appears to show Tkachuk making disparaging remarks about Canadians, but the Ottawa Senators captain firmly denies the authenticity of the video, stating, "It's not my voice. It's not what I was saying. I would never say that. That's not who I am."

Why it matters

This incident highlights the growing concerns around the use of AI technology to create misleading content and the potential impact on public figures. As deepfake videos become more sophisticated, it raises questions about accountability and the responsibility of platforms to verify the authenticity of content before distribution.

The details

The controversial TikTok video, which has garnered over 11.1 million views, cleverly uses AI to alter footage from a news conference featuring the Tkachuk brothers. The clip features the iconic tune of "Free Bird," Team USA's goal song, playing in the background, while Tkachuk's voice is manipulated to say, "They booed our national anthem, so I had to come out and teach those maple syrup eating f---s a lesson."

  • The AI-generated video was released on the White House's official TikTok account on April 11, 2026.

The players

Brady Tkachuk

The captain of the Ottawa Senators and a gold medalist for Team USA, who has condemned the AI-doctored video as not representing his true views or speech.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president, whose widely circulated comment about the U.S. women's hockey team has also been a source of controversy.

Hilary Knight

A star player on the U.S. women's hockey team, who found President Trump's joke about needing to invite the women's team to the White House "distasteful" and felt it overshadowed their achievement.

Jeremy Swayman

A teammate of Tkachuk on the U.S. men's hockey team, who admitted they should have reacted differently to President Trump's comment.

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What they’re saying

“Well, it's clearly fake, because it's not my voice, not my lips moving. I would never say that. That's not who I am, so I guess I don't like that video because that would never come out of my mouth, and never had that thought.”

— Brady Tkachuk, NHL Star

“I've been seeing stuff that people think it's me. But if you watch the video, it's not my voice or something that I never say.”

— Brady Tkachuk, NHL Star

“It was fun being around them, seeing how they play and the excellence around them.”

— Brady Tkachuk, NHL Star

What’s next

The White House has not yet commented on the authenticity of the video or the potential consequences for its distribution. It remains to be seen if any legal action will be taken against the individuals or entities responsible for the AI-generated content.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the growing challenges posed by the use of AI technology in the creation of misleading content, particularly when it comes to the reputation and public perception of high-profile individuals. It underscores the need for greater transparency, accountability, and ethical guidelines around the development and distribution of such content.