Home / Arts and Entertainment / Canadian Artists Protest Trump's Annexation Threats by Altering National Anthem Lyrics
Canadian Artists Protest Trump's Annexation Threats by Altering National Anthem Lyrics
31 Oct
Summary
- Canadian singers Rufus Wainwright and JP Saxe changed lyrics to "O Canada" during World Series performances
- Changes interpreted as protest against U.S. President Trump's threats to annex Canada as the "51st state"
- Venue RBC Amphitheatre in Toronto to undergo major expansion and renovation by 2030
In the lead-up to the 2025 World Series, Canadian artists have been using their platform to protest U.S. President Donald Trump's past comments about annexing Canada as the "51st state." During recent games, singers Rufus Wainwright and JP Saxe performed the Canadian national anthem with altered lyrics, replacing "true patriot love in all of us command" with phrases like "true patriot love that only us command."
These lyrical changes have been interpreted as a direct rebuke of Trump's threats, with fellow Canadian artist Chantal Kreviazuk making a similar alteration earlier this year. The growing list of Canadian performers using the national anthem to voice their opposition also includes country singer Dallas Smith, who is currently on a 51-date tour across the country, and Jully Black, who was honored by the Assembly of First Nations for her one-word change.
Alongside this artistic resistance, the city of Toronto is also undergoing a major transformation of its iconic concert venue. The RBC Amphitheatre, formerly known as Budweiser Stage, is set to undergo a significant expansion and renovation by 2030, becoming a year-round facility with increased capacity and upgraded amenities. The $32 million investment aims to strengthen Canada's music industry and accommodate the growing demand for live events in the region.
