Highlighting the violation of journalistic etiquette, Donald Trump stood by his off-the-record remarks during an event, dubbed “Securing Americans’ Retirement” in Charlotte, NC on Friday.
READ MORE: Trump’s ‘Off-the-Record’ Comments on NAFTA to Bloomberg Spread Immediately
"I gave an interview yesterday to Bloomberg Business and I said off the record and I made a statement about Canada, which is fine. Because I love Canada. But they've taken advantage of our country for many years," he said.
He further elaborated that he loved Canada and its national anthem, even offering to sing it.
"I even love their national anthem, it's called, very appropriately, 'O Canada.' Would you like me to sing it?” he continued.
Social media users, however, seemed not to appreciate his attitude, with some even questioning his knowledge of the US anthem, let alone Canada's.
Others were of the impression that the president had mocked the name of Canada's national anthem:
During his interview with Bloomberg, Trump agreed to provide some off-the-record comments on the NAFTA talks with Canada, which were leaked to the Toronto Star.
"Here's the problem. If I say no [the US will not compromise with Canada in the talks] — the answer's no. If I say no, then you're going to put that [in the story], and it's going to be so insulting they're not going to be able to make a deal… I can't kill these people," Trump said of the Canadian government, according to the report.
Trump has on multiple occasions been ridiculed for either not knowing, or forgetting lyrics to the US national anthem and the most patriotic song “God Bless America.”