Why US women’s hockey team didn’t accept Donald Trump’s invitation to the White House
During his State of the Union address, President Donald Trump announced that the gold-medal-winning U.S. women’s ice hockey team would ”soon” visit the White House to celebrate their triumph in Italy.
But the question remains: will they actually make the trip?
”I can send a military plane or something”
It was a dream streak for the U.S. ice hockey teams in Milan and Cortina.
Both men’s and women’s squads faced off against their longtime rivals, Canada, in thrilling matchups. The women’s team clinched their gold first, setting the stage for a historic stretch for Team USA. Shortly after, the men followed suit, giving the country double gold and sending celebrations into full swing.
After the men’s win, FBI chief Kash Patel was spotted celebrating with the players in the locker room, and President Donald Trump personally called to congratulate the team. During the call, he even offered them a memorable ride home.
”I can send a military plane or something,” Trump said.
”If you would like to, it’s the coolest night. We will do the White House the next day, we will just have some fun, we have medals for you guys.”
During the same call, the President acknowledged the women’s team would need an invite as well.
”I must tell you, we’re gonna have to bring the women’s team,” he said.
”I do believe I probably would be impeached.”
While many of the men on the call laughed, the video circulating online sparked outrage from the public. Fans quickly criticized the remarks.
Didn’t accept Trump’s invitation
One person wrote:
”So disappointing to see the US men’s hockey team’s true colors after seeing so many brave athletes stand up to this administration using their platform. Women’s hockey deserves better and the world deserves better.”
The Olympic gold medal–winning U.S. men’s hockey team visited President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday afternoon and later received a roughly two-minute bipartisan standing ovation during his State of the Union address that evening.
“I recognize every one of you. I know every one of you,” Trump said when the players entered the Oval Office.
“I want to thank you all,” Trump told the players. “What a special job you did. What special champions you are.”
Trump also announced that goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who made 41 saves in the gold medal game, will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civilian honor. Hellebuyck placed his hand over his heart as the chamber erupted in applause.
While the men’s team was in attendance and laughing during the proceedings, the women’s team chose not to accept Trump’s invitation to the event in Washington, D.C.
Amid mounting attention, a USA Hockey spokesperson explained the women’s team’s decision.
”We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal–winning U.S. Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement. They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment. Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate.”
But there might still be another opportunity for the women’s team to visit the White House.
During his State of the Union address, Trump said the gold-medal-winning U.S. women’s ice hockey team will “soon” make the trip to celebrate their victory in Milan.
“They beat a fantastic Canadian team in overtime as everybody saw, as did the American women who will soon be coming to the White House,” Trump said while the men’s hockey team was being honored in the House chamber.
It remains unclear whether the women’s team has accepted the invitation.
Wasn’t fazed by Trump’s remarks
While the moment sparked controversy on social media, Ellen Hughes — who works as a player development consultant for Team USA women’s ice hockey —said she wasn’t fazed by Trump’s remarks.
”These players, both the men and women, can bring so much unity to a group and to a country,” she told Today. ”People that cheered on that don’t watch hockey, people that have politics on one side or on the other side, and that’s all both the men’s team and the women’s team care about.”
She also highlighted the strong ”synergy” between the men’s and women’s teams.
”If you could see what we see from the inside, and the men and women sharing, you know, dorm rooms and halls and flex floors and the camaraderie and the synergy and the way the women cheered on the men and the way the men cheered on the women — that’s what it’s all about,” she added.
”And the other things they cannot control. They care about humanity. They care about unity, and they care about the country.”
The United States finished the 2026 Winter Olympics with a total of 33 medals, including 12 golds, marking the most gold medals the country has ever won at a Winter Games and placing second in both total medals and gold medals behind Norway.
