At the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games, hockey was the event on everyone’s minds. Both the men’s and women’s United States teams carried a lot of momentum heading into the international spectacle. The women faced their long-time rival, Canada, on the ice on February 19 in the gold medal match. They emerged victorious, winning their first Olympic championship in eight years. Just three days later, the men also defeated Canada to win their Olympic tournament. The last time the American men’s ice hockey team won gold at the Olympics was exactly 46 years to the day at the “Miracle on Ice” hockey game in 1980 in Lake Placid.
Following a decades-old tradition, US President Donald Trump congratulated the men’s team following their historic victory. Through FBI Director Kash Patel, President Trump called the men’s team in their locker room on February 22nd. The congratulatory conversation has gone viral and quickly grown controversial.
The president vowed to invite both gold-winning hockey teams to the White House in celebration but joked with the men that he would be “impeached” if he didn’t also bring the women’s team. Several of the players laughed at the president’s joke. This sparked controversy, especially since many of them are close with members of the women’s team.
The White House released pictures of the men’s visit on February 24, showing them descending from an Air Force C-32A plane, posing for pictures on the South Lawn and conversing with President Trump in the Oval Office. In some pictures, Trump was given one of their medals, which he wore with pride while sitting at the Resolute Desk. The players were fed a meal of catered McDonald’s, which led to online criticism as the move was viewed as tacky.
Following their visit to the White House, the players attended the president’s State of the Union address. When the president introduced the team, they received a bipartisan standing ovation from members of Congress who chanted ‘USA.’ Trump used the team’s victory as evidence of his claim that America is “winning again.” He also announced that he would be bestowing the Presidential Medal of Honor on USA goalie Connor Hellebuyck for his performance in the championship game.
All but five members of the men’s hockey team attended celebratory festivities with President Trump. Those absent couldn’t be present because they had to prepare for their respective teams’ upcoming games in the National Hockey League. The NHL paused its season for three weeks to allow international athletes to compete at the Olympics. The season resumed regular play on February 25, 2026, just four days after the men’s championship game.
Although Trump’s intentions might have been authentic, the special treatment received by the men’s team has left many hockey fans angry with the president. While he did extend an invitation to the women’s team, they collectively declined the offer. They issued a statement saying, “Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate. They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.”
However, fans aren’t entirely convinced. Many viewed the president’s motives as misogynistic. The men’s team has received heavy backlash for their participation in Tuesday’s event. Game-winner Jack Hughes commented on the controversy, claiming that everyone was “making something out of almost nothing.”
Some of the women didn’t seem to think that Trump’s actions were “nothing.” Captain Hilary Knight described his joke as “distasteful.” She detailed how the women’s team was focusing on celebrating their own victory and not letting the president’s off-color comments deter them from their pride in the program. “Women aren’t less than,” said Knight, “and their achievements shouldn’t be overshadowed by anything else other than how great they are.”
The men’s and women’s hockey teams still maintain their strong relationship. Recently, members of both teams have made appearances on Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show to demonstrate a united front in their Olympic victories. However, despite their presented unity, the controversy remains surrounding the celebration of each team’s victory.