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Don’t expect there to be at least one Olympic gold medalist in Washington, D.C., anytime soon.
After being asked about Olympians not accepting invitations to the White House, 2026 Olympic gold medalist Amber Glenn told Us Weekly that she would turn down an invitation if given one.
“I choose not to either, so I don’t blame them at all,” Glenn told the outlet. “It’s our right to be able to choose what we do and what we don’t approve of, and I think that’s a decision that every individual has the right to make.”
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Amber Glenn of Team USA celebrates with her gold medal after the figure skating team event at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. U.S. Figure Skating referred inquiries to the White House.
While the men’s hockey team visited the White House and the State of the Union conference last month, the women’s hockey team declined President Donald Trump’s invitation, citing scheduling conflicts. Trump announced it during the State of the Union, but they will eventually surrender.
Trump’s invitation came after he sparked controversy during a phone call with the men’s team shortly after winning gold, saying he “should” invite the women’s team or he would “probably be removed.” The joke sparked laughter among the men, prompting negative reactions from everyone involved.
Several athletes, and apparently teams, have refused to visit Trump after winning titles dating back to his first presidency. After winning the 2018 World Series as manager of the Boston Red Sox, Alex Cora skipped a visit to the White House in 2019 to prioritize Puerto Rico, citing his dissatisfaction with the federal government’s response to the devastation of Hurricane Maria. Mookie Betts also skipped that year’s celebration, but attended the Los Angeles Dodgers’ celebration last year.
Amber Glenn of the United States reacts after her performance during the short program, February 17, 2026. (Reuters/Yara Nardi)
The Dodgers, Philadelphia Eagles, Florida Panthers, Ohio State football team, LSU baseball team and Inter Miami have all visited the White House to celebrate their championships since Trump’s second term began in January 2025. It remains to be seen whether the Indiana Hoosiers and Seattle Seahawks will follow suit. Given that no NBA team has ever visited Trump, it seems unlikely that the Oklahoma City Thunder will do so.
Last year, the Florida Gators were the first college basketball team to visit Trump since the Baylor women’s team in 2019. They are the only college basketball teams to visit Trump. team visiting Trump during both terms, when every college football champion with Trump as president visited him.
Although no NBA team has visited the White House under Trump, the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics each visited former President Joe Biden to commemorate their titles.
Gold medalist Amber Glenn of the United States poses with the medal during the medal ceremony during the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Final – Grenoble at Patinoire Polesud on December 7, 2024, in Grenoble, France. (Daniela Porcelli – International Skating Union/International Skating Union)
Trump rescinded an invitation to the Warriors’ 2017 title game after Stephen Curry said he wouldn’t make the trip. LeBron James then called Trump a “bum,” saying, “Going to the White House was a great honor until you showed up!” »
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