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President Donald Trump and U.S. men’s hockey gold medalist Matthew Tkachuk had a light-hearted interaction in the Oval Office on Tuesday ahead of the State of the Union address.
Tkachuk was with several members of the team, taking pictures and showing off their medals after defeating Canada in overtime on the final day of the Winter Olympics. The Florida Panthers star asked the president if he would wear the medal.
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Gold medalists Vincent Trocheck #16m Matthew Tkachuk #19 and Dylan Larkin #21 of Team United States celebrate during the medal ceremony after the men’s gold medal match between Canada and the United States on Day 16 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at the Milan Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, Milan 20262, Italy on February 20. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
“Yeah, absolutely. I’m not giving it back,” Trump joked.
Tkachuk replied: “I’ll trade you that for a pen.”
Trump said it was “cool” to have the medal around, adding, “I never thought I’d be wearing this.”
Dylan Larkin and Jack Hughes then posed for a photo behind Trump at his desk.
USA’s Matthew Tkachuk (19) celebrates after the USA defeated Canada in a men’s ice hockey gold medal match between Canada and the USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
The group of players who were at the White House to meet with the president are scheduled to attend the State of the Union address later Tuesday night. Trump invited the team to the event as they celebrated their gold medal in Milan.
The players’ enthusiasm seemed to irritate critics of Trump. But speaking to reporters outside E11EVEN nightclub in Miami on Monday night, Hughes said meeting the president is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
USA’s Brady Tkachuk (7) and Matthew Tkachuk (19) celebrate after the USA’s victory over Canada in the men’s ice hockey gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
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“Everything is so political. We’re athletes. We’re so proud to represent the United States, and when you get the chance to go to the White House, meet the president, you know, we’re proud to be Americans, it’s so patriotic. Whatever your views are, we’re super excited to go to the White House and just be a part of it,” he said.
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