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Matthew Tkachuk, US men’s hockey gold medalist and Florida Panthers star, dismissed criticism surrounding the national team’s decision to visit President Donald Trump at the White House.
Tkachuk appeared on “Hang Out With Sean Hannity” and touched on the criticism he and his teammates received over their locker room celebration and decision to fly to Washington, DC, to see Trump and attend his State of the Union address.
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Matthew Tkachuk (19) of the United States celebrates after defeating Canada in the men’s ice hockey gold medal during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at the Milan Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026. (Amber Searls/Imagn Images)
“For us, there will be criticism for everything we’ve done — all the partying we’ve done, all the fun we’ve had,” he said. “But we’ve earned the right to have the best time and the biggest celebration. Of course, one of the first invitations we get is from the president in the locker room. It was the fastest ‘yes’ ever.”
Tkachuk said the team would have gone to the White House regardless of who presided over the country.
TEAM USA HOCKEY STAR MATTHEW TKACHUK REFUSES OLYMPIC GOLD TOPS STANLEY CUP WINNER
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)
“It didn’t matter who was president,” he continued. “We’re being invited as Team USA to go to the White House and represent the sport of hockey, represent USA hockey, represent the Americans. What an honor this is.”
Not all members of the U.S. men’s hockey team went to the White House, as some cited restrictions on resuming the NHL regular season as the playoffs approached.
Tkachuk has been to the White House a few times since Trump began his second term. He and the Panthers also celebrated their Stanley Cup title wins at the White House.
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)
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Team USA defeated Canada in overtime to win the gold medal.
