The U.S. ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra, has demanded an apology from The Globe and Mail for a column that mocked the U.S. men's Olympic hockey team players' attendance at the State of the Union address. The column, written by Cathal Kelly, compared the athletes to monkeys in a zoo, suggesting they lacked intelligence and critical thinking skills. This sparked outrage, especially given the timing, as it coincided with the U.S. bombing of Iran. The incident has caused a rift between the U.S. and Canada, with some Canadian fans disappointed by the players' support for a president who has threatened Canada's sovereignty. The column's implications have also led to a public relations crisis for the U.S. hockey team, with players like Brady Tkachuk and Jack Hughes needing to distance themselves from controversial statements and actions. The Globe and Mail's editor-in-chief, David Walmsley, defended the column, stating that strong opinions are a hallmark of independent journalism, but the embassy has not yet responded to requests for comment or an apology.
