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President Donald Trump said during his State of the Union address that the gold medal-winning US ice hockey team will “soon” go to the White House to celebrate their victory in Milan.
“They beat a great Canadian team in overtime that everybody saw, as did the American women who are coming to the White House soon,” Trump said as the men’s hockey team was applauded by everyone inside the House floor during the State of the Union address.
It is unknown if the women’s hockey team accepted an invitation to the White House.
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Gold medalist Team USA poses after the women’s ice hockey medal ceremony following the women’s gold medal game between the United States and Canada on Day 13 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at the Milan Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 19, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
USA Hockey and the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Pakinomist Digital.
The women’s team declined Trump’s invitation to attend his State of the Union address Tuesday night in Washington, DC, citing “previously scheduled academic and professional commitments.”
“We are sincerely grateful for the invitation to our gold medal-winning USA women’s hockey team and greatly appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary performance,” USA Hockey told NBC News. “Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments after the Games, the athletes are unable to participate.
“They were honored to be included and are grateful for the recognition.”
Trump drew criticism for what some viewed as disrespect to the women’s team while on the phone with the men’s team after their overtime win over Canada on Sunday. While Jack Hughes quickly became an American hero with his gold medal-winning goal, Megan Keller did the same in overtime three days before his to defeat Canada in their matchup.
During the viral clip of Trump’s phone call to the men’s team, he said he would “have to” invite the women’s team to the State of the Union, too, or I would probably be impeached.”
While controversy stirred social media at the moment, Hughes’ mother, Ellen Hughes, who serves as a player development consultant for Team USA women’s ice hockey, explained that she was not bothered by Trump’s comments.
US President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, US on February 24, 2026. (REUTERS/KEVIN LAMARQUE)
“These players, both men and women, can bring so much unity to a group and a country,” she told “Today.” “People who were cheering don’t watch hockey, people who have politics on one side or the other, and that’s all the men’s team and the women’s team care about.”
“If you could see what we see from the inside and the men and women sharing, you know, dorms and halls and flexible 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 continued. “And the other things they can’t control. They care about humanity. They care about unity and they care about the country.”
And while some were unhappy that the men’s team laughed at Trump’s joke during the call, Quinn Hughes, brother of Jack and hero of the quarter-final overtime win over Sweden, explained how “amazing” it was to spend time with the women’s team during the weeks in Milan.
They were on hand, as well as other men’s hockey players, to watch as the women’s team took home gold.
USA’s Grace Zumwinkle, left, and Taylor Heise celebrate after the women’s ice hockey victory ceremony at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
“Me and Jack were there, we saw them win the gold medal,” Quinn said. “They came to our game and were able to see us. So just the support back and forth, just to get to know them a little better was also special.”
During Trump’s speech, he also announced that men’s hockey goalie Connor Hellebuyck, whose 41-save performance was needed to force overtime to give Hughes his golden opportunity, would receive the Medal of Freedom — the American civilian honor — for his efforts in the game. Trump said he consulted with the team during their time in the Oval Office earlier Tuesday.
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