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President Donald Trump and U.S. men’s hockey gold medalist Matthew Tkachuk had a light-hearted interaction in the Oval Office Tuesday before the State of the Union address.
Tkachuk was with several team members, taking photos and showing off their medals after beating Canada in overtime on the final day of the Winter Olympics. The Florida Panthers star asked the president if he wanted to wear the medal.
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Gold medalists Vincent Trocheck #16m Matthew Tkachuk #19 and Dylan Larkin #21 of Team USA celebrate during the medal ceremony after the men’s gold medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the Milan Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Grégory Shamus/Getty Images)
“Yeah, absolutely. I won’t give it back,” Trump joked.
Tkachuk replied, “I’ll trade you that for a pen.”
Trump said it was “cool” to have the medal around, adding “I never thought I’d have that on me.”
Dylan Larkin and Jack Hughes then posed for a photo behind Trump at his desk.
Matthew Tkachuk (19) of the United States celebrates after the United States defeated Canada in a men’s ice hockey gold medal game between Canada and the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, February 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
The group of actors who were at the White House to meet with the president are expected to attend the State of the Union address later Tuesday evening. Trump invited the team to the event as they celebrated their gold medal in Milan.
The players’ enthusiasm seemed to vex Trump’s critics. But while speaking to reporters outside the E11EVEN nightclub in Miami on Monday evening, Hughes said meeting the president was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Brady Tkachuk (7) and Matthew Tkachuk (19) of the United States celebrate after the United States’ victory over Canada in the men’s ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
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“It’s all so political. We’re athletes. We’re so proud to represent the United States and when you get a chance to go to the White House and meet the president, you know, we’re proud to be Americans, it’s so patriotic. No matter what your opinions are, we’re very excited to go to the White House and be a part of it,” he said.
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