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The U.S. men’s ice hockey team continued its Olympic gold medal celebration at home with a whirlwind tour Tuesday that began with an Air Force flight to Washington, DC, and ended with a standing ovation at the State of the Union address.
But amid the praise, the team has faced some backlash on social media.
Jack Hughes poses for a photo with Team USA members, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was among those in the administration who welcomed the American hockey players before visiting President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.
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Leavitt shared a photo on social media in which he posed with vice director of communications Margo Martin and several members of Team USA. The photo included Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman, Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, Jack and Quinn Hughes and Buffalo Sabers forward Tage Thompson.
Both Hughes brothers wore red and white USA hats, while Thompson wore a “Make America Great Again” hat, prompting widespread backlash on social media.
“How embarrassing,” one person on X wrote in a post sharing the photo. Another person responded, calling Thompson a “filth” for wearing the MAGA hat.
“From here to zero in record time,” the person later added in another post.
Karoline Leavitt shared a photo on social media where she posed with vice director of communications Margo Martin and several members of Team USA. The photo included Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman, Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, Jack and Quinn Hughes and Buffalo Sabers forward Tage Thompson. Both Hughes brothers wore red and white USA hats, while Thompson wore a “Make America Great Again” hat, prompting widespread backlash on social media. (Karoline Leavitt via Instagram)
Thompson faced particular criticism on social media. On his Instagram page, critics flocked to the comments of his latest post to criticize him for wearing the MAGA hat.
“Your actions spoke louder than any cheap words you will invariably post as damage control,” read one comment. “We will remember you as the losers that you are.”
“Damn shame,” read another post.
“A MAGA hat is disgraced. You should be ashamed. We will never forget. You are a red hat. Gross.”
Team USA’s men’s hockey gold medalists have irked liberal pundits and news organizations despite captivating the nation with their Olympic performance. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
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Trump invited both the men’s and women’s gold medal teams to the White House and extended an invitation to the State of the Union address, but the women’s team declined, citing scheduling conflicts.
In a video of the president’s phone call with the men’s team immediately after their victory, Trump said he would “have to” invite the women’s team or he would “probably be impeached.” The players laughed in response to Trump’s joke, which caused quite a bit of backlash on social media.
Trump said during Tuesday’s speech that the women’s gold medal team would make a trip to the White House, but he did not say when.
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