NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
President Donald Trump said during his State of the Union address that the gold medal-winning United States women’s ice hockey team will “soon” visit the White House to celebrate their victory in Milan.
“They beat a fantastic Canadian team in overtime, as everyone saw, just like the Americans who will soon be coming to the White House,” Trump said as the men’s hockey team was saluted by everyone inside the House during the State of the Union address.
It is unclear whether the women’s hockey team has accepted an invitation to the White House.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
The gold medal-winning United States team poses after the medal ceremony for the women’s ice hockey following the women’s gold medal match between the United States and Canada on day 13 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the Milano 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 PK Press Club Digital.
The women’s team declined Trump’s invitation to attend his State of the Union address Tuesday evening in Washington, D.C., citing “previously planned academic and professional commitments.”
“We are sincerely grateful for the invitation to our gold medal-winning U.S. women’s hockey team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement,” USA Hockey told NBC News. “Due to the schedule and planned academic and professional commitments after the Games, athletes are unable to participate.
“They were honored to be included and are grateful for this recognition.”
Trump was criticized for what some saw as a lack of respect for the women’s team during a phone call with the men’s team after their overtime victory 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 defeating Canada in their match.
During the viral clip of Trump’s phone call to the men’s team, he said he “should” also invite the women’s team to the State of the Union or “I’d probably be impeached.”
As controversy raged on social media at the time, Hughes’ mother, Ellen Hughes, who is a player development consultant for the United States women’s ice hockey team, explained that she was not bothered by Trump’s comments.
U.S. President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address in the Hall of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, U.S., February 24, 2026. (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)
“These players, men and women, can bring so much unity to a group and a country,” she told “Today”. “The people who cheered don’t watch hockey, the people who have politics one way 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, the dorms and the hallways and the flexible floors and the camaraderie and the synergy and the way the women encourage the men and the way the men encourage 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 upset to see the men’s team mock Trump’s joke during the call, Quinn Hughes, Jack’s brother and hero of the overtime quarterfinal victory with his goal against Sweden, spoke about how “amazing” it was to spend time with the women’s team throughout the weeks in Milan.
They were there, along with other men’s hockey players, to watch the women’s team win gold.
Grace Zumwinkle, left, and Taylor Heise of the United States celebrate the victory ceremony for women’s ice hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
“Jack and I were there, we saw them win the gold,” Quinn said. “They came to our game and got to watch us. So just being able to support us, being able to get to know them a little better, was special too.”
During his speech, Trump also announced that men’s hockey goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, whose 41-save performance was needed to force overtime and give Hughes his golden chance, would receive the Medal of Freedom – America’s civilian honor – for his efforts in the game. Trump said he consulted with the team during his stay in the Oval Office earlier Tuesday.
Related article
