President Donald Trump took a shot at previous administration’s handling of Afghanistan when he welcomed Florida Panthers to the White House to celebrate their Stanley Cup title.
Panthers was the first team to visit the White House in Trump’s second period as president.
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President Donald Trump speaks as Vincent Viola, team owner of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Master Florida Panthers Hockey Team, Left, listening during a ceremony to honor the team in the eastern room of the White House, Monday, February 3, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
The president talked a lot about team owner Vincent Viola before letting him say a few words about his team that won the Stanley Cup in an epic seven-game series against Edmonton Oilers. Trump called Viola a “real master” who loves the military.
“He’s a real master of everything he ever did. Love the military,” Trump said. “The first thing he did, I see him, ‘You have to do this with the army. You have to move them hit. You have to put …’ he gives me all the instructions. You love the military.
“You know we should have you in Afghanistan instead of the characters we had. It would have turned out a little different.”
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President Donald Trump shakes his hands with team captain Aleksander Barkov during a ceremony with Florida Panthers NHL Hockey team to celebrate their 2024 Stanley Cup win, in the eastern room of the White House, Monday, February 3, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The United States invaded Afghanistan in 2001 after 11 September 2001, terrorist attacks in the hope of overthrowing the Taliban and finding Usama bin Laden.
When the United States ended its extraction from Afghanistan, Suicide Bombers launched an attack on Hamid Karzai International Airport’s Abbey Gate. Thirteen US officials were killed along with 170 Afghan civilians.
In Trump’s first administration, Viola was underway for the US Army Secretary before withdrew from consideration. The billionaire business attended the US Military Academy at West Point and eventually earned with the 101st airborne division in Fort Campbell.

Always dreams the owner Vinnie Viola trophy after winning the Kentucky Derby in Churchill Downs 2017. (Jamie Rhodes -usa Today Sports)
Viola bought the team in 2013 and the team has played six times, including five ranging from the 2019-20 season to the 2023-24 season. The team made the Stanley Cup final in 2023 only to lose for the Vegas Golden Knights in five matches.