WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump received the gold medal-winning U.S. Men’s hockey team at the White House on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, and later received a bipartisan standing ovation during his State of the Union address. The visit, following their victory at the Milan Cortina Olympics, has ignited discussion about the intersection of sports and politics, and prompted questions about a planned visit from the women’s team.
The U.S. Men’s hockey team defeated Canada on Sunday in the gold medal game, a win President Trump highlighted during his address. He announced that Team USA’s goaltender, Connor Hellebuyck, will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, recognizing his pivotal role in the team’s success. The gesture, but, has been met with mixed reactions, particularly in light of a controversial interaction with the team following their win.
Team Visit and Presidential Recognition
Members of the U.S. Men’s hockey team were warmly greeted by both Republicans and Democrats during the State of the Union address, receiving approximately a two-minute standing ovation. The Guardian reported that President Trump used the team’s success as a point of national pride, stating, “Our country is winning again,” before introducing them to the joint session of Congress. The President also indicated that the women’s team would be honored “soon,” a statement that drew a response from the women’s team.
Video footage circulating online showed President Trump inviting the men’s team to the White House immediately after their victory in Milan. During the call, he reportedly joked that he “would be impeached” if he didn’t also invite the women’s team, a comment that was widely interpreted as derisive. Jack Hughes, the scorer of the winning goal, later downplayed the reaction, attributing it to “people being so negative out there.”
Women’s Team Declines State of the Union Invitation
The U.S. Women’s hockey team, also Olympic gold medalists, declined an invitation to attend the State of the Union address, citing “previously scheduled academic and professional commitments.” Hilary Knight, a member of the women’s team, expressed her dissatisfaction with President Trump’s joke, calling it “distasteful” and stating that it was overshadowing the team’s accomplishments. Yahoo Sports reported Knight’s comments on ESPN, where she emphasized the importance of celebrating the women’s team’s achievements without distraction.
Despite the initial decline, President Trump has stated that the women’s team “will soon be coming” to the White House, though the team has not yet committed to a visit. The situation highlights a growing tension between athletes and political figures, particularly in the current climate.
The men’s team’s visit to the White House and subsequent recognition at the State of the Union address have sparked a broader conversation about the role of politics in sports, and the potential for athletes to be used as “props” for political gain. NBC News noted that the event has ignited a culture war surrounding the U.S. Hockey gold medal winners.
As the dust settles from the Olympic Games and the State of the Union address, the focus now shifts to the potential visit from the women’s hockey team and how President Trump will continue to acknowledge their achievements. The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected in the coming days.
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