US men’s hockey team visit White House after one player defended Trump’s ‘sexist’ joke
There were several notable absences during the State of the Union address on Tuesday (24 February)
The Team USA men’s hockey team visited the White House on Tuesday (24 February) following their 2-1 win against Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The team's attendance comes amidst backlash following US President Donald Trump's shocking comments made about the US women's hockey team, who also took home gold with a 2-1 victory against Canada in their respective match.
Footage from the men's team locker room has circulated on social media showing FBI Director Kash Patel drinking from a bottle of beer while holding up a phone as Trump called to congratulate the team.
During the call, the 79-year-old Republican offered to fly the team to Washington for the State of the Union address with a White House visit planned for the next day.
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"We’re giving the State of the Union speech on Tuesday night. I could send a military plane or something, if you would like to. It’s the coolest night. It’s the biggest speech," he said over speakerphone to cheers and shouts of 'we’re in'.
Just moments later, the president mocked the women's team as he snarled: "And we have to - I must tell you - we’re going to have to bring the women’s team."
Several team members could be seen laughing at his shocking comments, as Trump concluded: "[If I don’t] do that, I do believe I probably would be impeached, OK?"
Trump's 'sexist' remarks have been called out online, with many also pointing out the men's team's silence on his 'sexist' and 'misogynistic' comments.
Many were also quick to note that the women’s side has long outshone the men’s, collecting a medal at every Games since the sport was added.
They last struck gold at the 2018 Winter Olympics, during Trump’s first term, and were welcomed to the White House that April as part of a broader Olympic celebration.
The men’s recent victory, by contrast, was their first since the Miracle on Ice at the 1980 Winter Olympics.
A spokesperson for the women’s team previously explained that both the men’s and women’s hockey teams were formally invited to attend Trump’s address on Tuesday.
The women's team, however, declined the invitation.
"We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal-winning US Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement," the team spokesperson said in a statement.
"Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate. They were honoured to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgement."
Jack Hughes, who scored the winning goal during Sunday's match (22 February), has since spoken out following the online backlash.
"They've got busy schedules, too. Everyone is giving us backlash for all the social media stuff today," the 24-year-old athlete told the Daily Mail.
"People are so negative out there, and they are just trying to find a reason to put people down and make something out of almost nothing."
Hughes continued: "Our relationship with them, over the course of being in the Athletes' Village, I think we are so tight with their group.
"After we won the gold medal, we were in the cafeteria at 3.30 am in the morning with them, and we go from there, pack our bags and we're on the bus.
"People are so negative about things. I think everyone in that locker room knows how much we support them, how proud we are of them and we know the same way we feel about them, they feel about us."
When asked whether they are excited for their trip to meet Trump, Hughes reportedly added: "Yeah, we're excited. Everything is so political. We're athletes.
"We're so proud to represent the US, and when you get the chance to go to White House and meet the President, we're proud to be Americans and that's so patriotic.
"No matter what your views are, we're super excited to go to the White House tomorrow and be a part of that."
The men's team visited the White House on Tuesday, but there were several notable absences.
Five of the 25 athletes invited didn't attend, including Brock Nelson, Jackson LaCombe, Jake Guentzel, Jake Oettinger and Kyle Connor.
Connor, who plays for the Winnipeg Jets in Canada, said he skipped the White House visit to focus on the remainder of the NHL season, which resumes on Wednesday (25 February).
"I’m just getting ready. We play on Wednesday," he told The Athletic. "It’s a big second half so I just wanted to make sure I was ready."
The other absentees are with teams also set to play on Wednesday.
Quinn Hughes, Matt Boldy and Brock Faber, who represent the Minnesota Wild, attended alongside Jack Hughes and Charlie McAvoy.
"I recognise every one of you. I know every one of you," Trump said as he welcomed the players to the Oval Office, calling them 'big guys' as he shook their hands.
Tyla has previously reached out to both the White House and USA Hockey for comment.
Topics: US News, Sport, Olympics, Donald Trump, Politics
Rhiannon Ingle