Trump says the women’s gold medal hockey team will ‘visit the White House soon
NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
President Donald Trump said during his State of the Union address that the gold medal-winning US women’s ice hockey team will “soon” be heading to the White House to celebrate their victory in Milan.
“They beat a good Canadian team in overtime as everyone saw, as did the American women who will be in the White House soon,” Trump said as the men’s hockey team was greeted by everyone in the House chamber during the State of the Union address.
It is not known whether the women’s hockey team has accepted the White House invitation.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH ONE OF THE GAMES ON FOXNEWS.COM
The United States gold medal winning team 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 Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 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 Fox News Digital.
A group of women declined Trump’s invitation to attend his State of the Union address Tuesday night in Washington, DC, citing “scheduled academic and work commitments.”
“We are very grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal winning US Women’s Hockey team and we are very grateful for the recognition of their incredible achievement,” USA Hockey told NBC News. “Due to the time and commitments planned in terms of education and technology following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate.
“They are honored to be included and grateful for the acceptance.”
Trump drew criticism for what some saw as disrespect for the women’s team when he called the men’s team after their overtime victory over Canada on Sunday. While Jack Hughes became an instant American hero with his gold medal-winning goal, Megan Keller did the same thing in overtime three days before she beat Canada in their tournament.
During Trump’s phone call about the men’s delegation, he said he would “have to” invite the women’s delegation to the State of the Union, and, otherwise, “I’ll probably be impeached.”
While the controversy erupted on social media at the time, Hughes’ mother, Ellen Hughes, who works 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 at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, US, February 24, 2026. (REUTERS/KEVIN LAMARQUE)
“These players, men and women, can bring great unity to the team and the country,” he told “Today.” “People who enjoy that 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 inside, the men and women sharing, you know, the bedrooms and the halls and the soft floors and the meeting and the meeting and the way the women were congratulating the men and the way the men were congratulating the women – it’s all this,” he continued. “There are other things they can’t control. They care about humanity. They care about unity, and they care about the country.”
And while others were offended by the men’s team laughing at Trump’s joke on the phone, Quinn Hughes, Jack’s brother and the hero in the quarterfinal overtime victory with his goal against Sweden, described how “amazing” it was to spend time with the women’s team every week in Milan.
They were there, along with other male hockey players, to watch the women’s team take home the gold.
Grace Zumwinkle of the United States, 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)
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
“Jack and I were there, watching them win the gold medal,” said Quinn. “They came to our game and were able to watch us. So, to support us back and forth, just to get to know them better was special, too.”
During Trump’s speech, he also announced that men’s hockey goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who needed 41 saves to force overtime to allow Hughes his golden opportunity, will receive the Medal of Freedom – an honor for US citizens – for his efforts in the game. Trump said he spoke with the team during a meeting in the Oval Office earlier Tuesday.
Fox News’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and register at Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Related Article
