“I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that?” Trump said on February 22nd, on a phone call to the USA Men’s Hockey team after they had won gold for the first time since 1980. The comment received laughs throughout the team. Following his comment, Trump continued by stating that if he didn’t invite the women’s team, “I do believe I probably would be impeached.” Many men’s players issued public apologies for laughing at Trump’s comment following public backlash on social media.
Both the USA Men’s and Women’s ice hockey teams won gold during the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. Both teams defeated Canada with 2-1 overtime scores, leading to a double-gold sweep for USA Hockey. While this has never happened in history, Trump’s congratulatory focus was on the Men’s team.
“The women’s team completely dominated the entire Olympics, they averaged 5 goals per game while only allowing 1 goal against… how they played at the Olympics was something special and really impressive and… I think it was stupid that this… took away from their spotlight and turned it into something more negative” said Garfield Senior and former Seattle Junior Hockey Association player Dylan Kirkpatrick.
Following the win, Trump hosted the Men’s team at the White House, where he served them a catered meal of McDonalds double cheeseburgers. He further honored them at the State of the Union address, announcing that goalie Conner Hellebuyck would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Hellebuyck lives in Winnipeg, Canada and received complicated responses following the announcement. Many felt offended that he accepted the award from a President who was causing so much chaos between Canada and the USA as well as throughout the world. Others felt that it was just recognition for the 41 saves he made in the gold medal game against Canada, leading to their victory.
Trump extended the same invitations to the USA Women’s team, who declined the White House visit and the State of the Union address after the viral phone call aired on social media. The Women’s team cited their rejections to attend as scheduling conflicts and prior existing commitments. The rapper Flavor Flav invited the women’s team to Las Vegas for a “real celebration” following their rejections of Trump’s invitations. The offer included dinners, shows at MGM Resorts in partnership with The Gist, and a parade. The women’s team accepted the invitation, which is set to take place July 16th-19th.
“I just think the joke was distasteful and unfortunate… I think the way women are represented, it’s a great teaching point to really shine light on how women should be championed for their amazing feats, and now I have to sit in front of you and explain someone else’s behavior” said U.S. Women’s National Team captain Hilary Knight during an interview. Knight further stated that she didn’t want the distasteful joke to overshadow their gold medal win at the Olympics. Everything in the world is becoming more and more political, even hockey. The win should be celebrated for its impressiveness, it shouldn’t be a political nightmare.
