Fans at a Toronto Raptors game on Sunday participated in an unusual display of protest by booing the American national anthem before their team’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers. This action came as part of a growing trend of Canadian audiences expressing their discontent with the United States, particularly in response to recent political events involving trade and tariffs. Similar displays occurred just a day earlier at NHL games in Ottawa and Calgary, where fans jeered the Star-Spangled Banner during the matches between the Senators and Minnesota Wild, and the Flames and Detroit Red Wings, respectively. This wave of discontent is directly tied to the policies of former U.S. President Donald Trump, who had recently imposed tariffs on Canadian goods.
The Raptors’ game, held at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, saw a 15-year-old girl perform both national anthems. Initially, she received cheers, but when she began to sing the U.S. anthem, the mood shifted. Fans booed the Star-Spangled Banner loudly throughout its performance, and at its conclusion, the atmosphere was mixed with boos and a few scattered cheers. However, the Canadian anthem, O Canada, was met with an overwhelmingly positive response, with applause ringing out across the arena. This public display of disapproval over the American anthem was notable because it came just days after Trump had made his threat of tariffs a reality, imposing additional trade barriers on Canada, Mexico, and China.
The Raptors’ players, particularly the team’s American players, were acutely aware of the crowd’s reaction. Garrett Temple, a forward for the Raptors and an American, acknowledged noticing the booing and reflected on the larger context behind it. “You think about why they’re booing. A lot of things bigger than basketball going on in the world right now,” Temple said, suggesting that the booing was an expression of frustration over the current trade tensions between Canada and the U.S. Fans, he noted, have a right to voice their feelings about the tariffs, which have significant economic implications for Canadians.
Kelly Olynyk, a Canadian player on the Raptors, empathized with the young anthem singer, acknowledging that the political climate could be tough for her, though he was relieved that the crowd cheered her afterward. He recognized the broader impact of the tariffs on people across Canada and in the arena. This solidarity with the sentiments of Canadian citizens underscored how deeply the issue resonated with those who felt directly affected by the trade dispute.
The situation was a direct response to Trump’s announcement that he would place tariffs on goods imported from Canada, Mexico, and China. The tariffs included a 10% tax on energy imports, such as oil, natural gas, and electricity from Canada. In retaliation, both Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexico’s president issued their own tariffs on U.S. goods, creating a tense political atmosphere that found its way into the sports world. It wasn’t just a matter of trade; Trump’s justification for the tariffs, which included claims that the U.S. was being overwhelmed by immigrants and illegal drugs, also seemed to be a point of contention for many Canadians.
While booing the U.S. anthem is rare in Canada, it is not entirely unprecedented. A similar reaction was seen in the early 2000s when Canada’s sporting crowds expressed their disapproval of the U.S.-led war in Iraq. These instances have always been tied to larger political contexts, where Canadians use the platform of sports to voice their opposition to U.S. policies. This time, it was the economic and political fallout from the trade dispute that motivated fans to make their displeasure heard.
Interestingly, Donald Trump has himself been the subject of booing at public events, including sports games. During his first term as president, he was greeted with jeers and “lock him up” chants from fans at the 2019 World Series, demonstrating the polarized political climate at the time. Conversely, there have also been instances where Trump received loud applause, particularly at college football games, highlighting the divide in American public opinion regarding his leadership.
Ultimately, the booing of the American anthem at the Raptors game was not just about a protest at a sporting event but a powerful display of national sentiment, expressing dissatisfaction with policies that were seen to undermine Canada’s interests. The fans at the arena, and those at other Canadian sporting events, used their voices to push back against the economic pressures of the ongoing trade dispute, and their actions were a reflection of the broader social and political climate.
