Milan, Italy – U.S. Women’s hockey captain Hilary Knight publicly criticized President Donald Trump’s remarks regarding an invitation to the White House, calling it a “distasteful joke” during an appearance on ESPN’s SportsCenter on Wednesday. The comments stem from a phone call President Trump made to the U.S. Men’s hockey team following their gold medal victory over Canada at the Milan Cortina Winter Games, a call that sparked controversy due to the President’s comments about the women’s team.
The situation unfolded after the men’s team secured their first gold medal since 1980 with a 2-1 overtime win against Canada. During the celebratory call, which was partially captured on video, President Trump stated, “I must notify you, we’re gonna have to bring the women’s team — you do know that,” adding that he “probably would be impeached” if he didn’t invite the women’s team. This remark and the subsequent laughter from those present, drew immediate backlash online and prompted Knight’s response.
Knight, a five-time Olympic medalist, emphasized that the President’s comments were overshadowing the achievements of both the men’s and women’s teams. “I thought it was sort of a distasteful joke and unfortunately that is overshadowing a lot of the success,” Knight said. “The success of just women at the Olympics carrying for Team USA and having amazing gold medal feats.” The U.S. Women’s team also secured gold, defeating Canada 2-1 in overtime, with Knight scoring a crucial late-game tying goal.
The women’s team had previously declined an invitation to President Trump’s State of the Union address, citing prior academic and professional commitments. Despite this, the incident has ignited a debate about recognition and respect for female athletes.
Controversy Surrounds Locker Room Exchange
A video of the President’s phone call, featuring FBI Director Kash Patel celebrating with the men’s team, quickly went viral, drawing criticism for the perceived dismissiveness towards the women’s team. Several members of the men’s team were heard laughing at the suggestion of impeachment, further fueling the controversy. Team USA and Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman acknowledged the situation on Wednesday, stating, “We should’ve reacted differently. We are so excited for the women’s team and we have so much respect for the women’s team – to share that gold medal with them is something that we will forever be grateful for.”
Knight acknowledged the men’s team may have been in a tricky position, stating, “I reckon the guys were in a tough spot, so I think it’s a shame this storyline and narrative has kind of blown up and is overshadowing that connection and genuine interest in one another and cheering each other on.” She stressed the importance of celebrating both teams’ accomplishments rather than focusing on the political fallout.
Celebration Plans and Team Support
While navigating the controversy, both teams have received widespread support. Rapper Flavor Flav, who served as Team USA’s hypeman during the Olympics, extended an invitation to the women’s team for a celebration in Las Vegas, calling for “a real celebration” on social media. However, Knight noted that scheduling conflicts with players’ commitments to the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) and college teams are preventing an immediate gathering.
A contingent of the men’s team received accolades from President Trump during Tuesday night’s State of the Union address, receiving approximately six minutes of recognition. During his address, President Trump stated, “Our country is winning again. In fact, we’re winning so much that we really don’t know what to do about it,” and highlighted the men’s hockey team as an example of American success. He also assured the nation that the women’s team would “soon” be making a trip to Washington, though Team USA has yet to confirm any plans for a visit. CNN reported on these details.
Hughes Addresses Fallout, Focus Remains on Hockey
Jack Hughes, who scored the game-winning goal for the men’s team, returned to play for the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night, receiving a rousing ovation from the crowd alongside teammate Tage Thompson. Following the Devils’ 2-1 loss, Hughes addressed the recent events, stating he wasn’t surprised by the conversation surrounding the team’s celebrations. “Obviously, there’s so many different people in the country with so many different views. So, no matter what’s going on – someone’s going like it, someone’s not going to like it,” Hughes told reporters. He emphasized that the team’s focus was on celebrating their victory and enjoying the moment together.
Hughes reiterated that the team are “just hockey players” who were focused on achieving their goal of winning a gold medal. He expressed pride in both teams’ accomplishments, stating, “We’re all just proud Americans and we’re happy that we both swept the Olympics.”
Looking Ahead
Knight characterized the situation as a “really good learning point, to really focus on how we talk about women, not only in sport but in the industry. Women aren’t less than and their achievements shouldn’t be overshadowed by anything else other than how great they are.” She is set to return to action with her PWHL team, the Seattle Torrent, on Friday. The incident underscores the ongoing need for equitable recognition and respect for female athletes and highlights the importance of mindful communication in public discourse.
The focus now shifts back to the athletes and their accomplishments, with both teams poised to continue their success in their respective leagues. Share your thoughts on this developing story and the importance of celebrating all athletes in the comments below.
