Mike Myers wears a ‘Canada Is Not for Sale’ shirt on ‘Saturday Night Live’ on March 1, 2025. Photo:
NBC
Mike Myers made a statement on Saturday Night Live.
The Canadian comedian, 61, made a surprise guest appearance on the show’s March 1 episode and used his screentime — and clothes — to take aim at President Donald Trump’s recent comments about making Myers’ home country the United States’ “51st state.”
At the end of the show, the Shrek star appeared on stage with host Shane Gillis, musical guest Tate McRae and the rest of the cast, while wearing a graphic T-shirt adorned with the Canadian flag and the slogan “Canada Is Not for Sale” in all caps.
Myers not only wore the shirt, but he also ensured its message was very clear, standing front and center beside McRae and Gillis as the credits rolled and moving his vest aside multiple times to point to the graphic.
The comedian also took the show’s final moments to mouth the phrase “elbows up” directly at the camera, and underscore the message by pointing to his own elbows. The phrase, used in sports like hockey and boxing, has different interpretations, but generally means to protect yourself or fight back.
It has become a rallying cry for Canadians amid Trump’s return to the White House, appearing on patriotic merchandise and social media posts. It has also been used by Canadian politicians while discussing Trump’s plans to impose 25% tariffs on Canadian goods — a move that has heightened fears in the country about economic stability.
While discussing the tariffs in January, Premier of Manitoba Wab Kinew told reporters, “We can’t be a punching bag, and we have to get our elbows up and let other folks know that we’re in the ring there too.”
Messages of support for Myers — and his choice of phrase — poured in on X after SNL. “ ‘Elbows up’ says Mike Myers! That’s Canadian code talk!” one user wrote.
Meanwhile, another said that it is “refreshing seeing Mike Myers on SNL tonight standing up for our country 🥹,” and signed off their post with “Elbows up Canada!!!”
Mikey Day, Mike Myers and James Austin Johnson on ‘Saturday Night Live’ on March 1, 2025. NBC
Myers’ show of support for Canada came after the comedian stepped into the shoes of Trump’s right-hand man, Elon Musk, for the episode’s cold open.
The actor, who originally starred on SNL from 1989 to 1995, appeared as the tech billionaire — and head of Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — in a spoof of Trump’s heated Feb. 28 White House exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
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Trump has made several recent comments about wanting Canada to become the 51st state, including last month, when he suggested that the country should join the U.S. following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau‘s decision to resign.
“Many people in Canada LOVE being the 51st State,” Trump wrote sarcastically on Truth Social, referencing his running bit that Canada should not be its own country.
“If Canada merged with the U.S., there would be no Tariffs, taxes would go way down, and they would be TOTALLY SECURE from the threat of the Russian and Chinese Ships that are constantly surrounding them,” he continued. “Together, what a great Nation it would be!!!”
