Charles Barkley calls Canadians 'fools' for breaking Wayne Gretzky's heart over Trump friendship

Fox News senior White House correspondent Peter Doocy has the latest on President Donald Trump's tariffs on Mexico and Canada on 'Special Report.'

Former NBA MVP Charles Barkley took aim at Canadians who have been critical of NHL legend Wayne Gretzky in recent weeks. 

Gretzky has come under scrutiny from Canadians for his friendship with President Donald Trump, and the hockey great's wife has said the criticism left Gretzky "heartbroken." 

Barkley called these Canadians "fools." 

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Wayne Gretzky arrives for the inauguration ceremony before Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th President of the United States in Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 2025. (Saul Loeb/Pool via Imagn Images)

"You got them fools up in Canada giving ‘The Great One’ a hard time," Barkley said during a segment on Thursday’s "Inside the NBA." "Wayne Gretzky is the greatest hockey player ever. He’s the nicest person."

Trump has become one of the most controversial figures in Canada since returning to office in January after suggesting the country should become America's 51st state and threatening to impose tariffs on Canadian imports into the U.S.

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Gretzky attended a victory party after Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. Gretzky was spotted wearing a MAGA hat shortly afterward and attended Trump's inauguration.

"Fools up in Canada gave him a hard time because of the tariff with Trump and everything," Barkley said. "He has nothing to do with that. He played hockey. He’s the greatest hockey player ever. He got no control of what these fools do down here in our government." 

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