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The United States women’s ice hockey team, fresh off a gold medal victory over Canada at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games, declined President Donald Trump’s invitation to attend his State of the Union address on Tuesday.
“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.”
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Team USA celebrates its victory against Sweden in a women’s ice hockey semifinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from PK Press Club Digital.
The women’s hockey team has dominated the Olympics, and it came down to the gold medal game against rival Team Canada last week in a thriller that required overtime after a late goal from Hilary Knight tied the game at one with less than two minutes remaining in the third period.
Knight’s heroics led to the three-on-three overtime period, where Megan Keller received a pass up the ice, made a clever fake on a Canadian defender and fired a backhand shot past the goaltender for the victory.
A few days later, the men’s hockey team did the exact same thing against Canada, as Jack Hughes scored the game-winning goal in overtime Sunday afternoon to end the Milan Cortina Games on a high for the United States.
In a call with the men’s hockey team Sunday night after their victory, Trump also invited the team to the State of the Union. It’s unclear if they plan to attend given the NHL schedule resumes Wednesday night.
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)
As Trump explained that he could “send a military plane or something” for the team, a player interrupted him and said, “We’re in.”
Trump then brought up FBI Director Kash Patel, who was seen celebrating with the team in the locker room after the gold medal victory.
“We will have Kash and we will ask the military to help you,” Trump continued. “You won’t have to worry about the weather or landing. We don’t care if it’s snowing or the worst blizzard – we’ll sail just like you did on the ice.”
Trump also brought up the women’s hockey team during his phone call.
“I have to tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you know that,” Trump was heard saying over the phone to the men’s team.
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)
Trump also joked, “I think I’d probably be impeached” if he didn’t invite the women’s team as well as the men’s team.
The Professional Women’s Hockey League also resumes play Thursday evening.
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