President Trump slams US men’s hockey team in State of the Union address
President Trump announced during his State of the Union address that he would award the Medal of Freedom to the goalie of the U.S. men’s hockey team.
When the American team wins a championship or gold medal at the Olympics, they are often invited to the White House in Washington, DC.
The tradition continued after the U.S. men’s and women’s hockey teams defeated Canada to bring home the gold medal, and President Donald Trump invited both teams to the Oval Office and the State of the Union.
The men’s team accepted Trump’s offer over the phone after winning the gold medal. However, the U.S. women’s team declined the invitation, citing “timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments.” A team spokesperson said, “We are honored to be invited.”
All but five players on the men’s team toured the White House, and the 20 players who went to D.C. were also scheduled to attend the State of the Union address.
Celebrate Olympic hockey gold with a new book
See what President Trump said about the U.S. men’s hockey team in his 2026 State of the Union address.
President Trump speaks about the U.S. men’s hockey team during State of the Union address
After talking about how much the United States has “won”, President Trump introduced the U.S. men’s hockey team, which entered the stadium with chants of “USA!”
“This is the first time I’ve ever seen them stand up,” Trump said of the applause, referring to the Democrats who were present.
“And the fact is, not all of them happened,” Trump added.
He went on to say that the U.S. men’s team “beat a great Canadian team in overtime, as we all saw. So did the U.S. women’s team, which will soon be at the White House.”
The women’s team had declined to attend Tuesday’s event, citing “timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments.”
President Trump went on to say, “I’ve never seen a goaltender play better than goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.” President Trump announced that Hellebuyck would be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honor, for making more than 40 saves in the championship game.
President Trump concluded, “What an extraordinary job you’ve done. What an extraordinary champion. Thank you so much.”
President Trump speaks by phone with U.S. men’s hockey team
After defeating Canada in the gold medal game, President Trump invited the men’s team to a call with FBI Director Kash Patel, who celebrated the Olympic victory with athletes and coaches in the locker room.
“What’s really cool? Next time we’ll do it at the White House. Just have fun. You’ve got medals,” Trump said on the phone call. “And we have to bring a girls team, you know that?”
He added that if the women’s team were not invited, “I believe they would probably be impeached.”
The comment, which upset supporters of the women’s team, drew laughter from some members of the team.
“People are very negative about things. I think everyone in that locker room knows how much we support them and how proud we are of them, and just like how we feel about them and how they feel about us,” overtime scorer Jack Hughes said of the comments and the men’s team’s reaction.
