U.S. Women's Hockey Team Declines Trump's State of the Union Invitation Amid Controversy
The gold medal-winning U.S. women's hockey team has formally declined an invitation from President Donald Trump to attend his State of the Union address. This decision follows controversial remarks made by the president regarding the team's inclusion in the event alongside the men's squad.
Official Response from USA Hockey
A spokesperson for USA Hockey, the governing body overseeing both national teams, confirmed to NBC News that the White House extended the invitation to the American women. However, the players cited "timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments" as their reasons for declining the offer.
The spokesperson expressed gratitude, stating: "We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal–winning U.S. Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement... They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment."
Background of the Controversial Comments
The situation unfolded after the U.S. men's hockey team secured a dramatic gold medal victory at the Winter Olympics, defeating rival Canada 2-1 in overtime. This mirrored the exact result achieved by the American women in their final just days earlier.
Following the men's victory, a raucous locker room celebration occurred where FBI Director Kash Patel chugged a beer while holding a phone as President Trump called to congratulate the team. During this call, Trump offered to fly the men to Washington, D.C., for the State of the Union address on Tuesday, with a White House visit planned for Wednesday.
However, the president's celebratory tone shifted when he made a degrading joke about the women's team. Trump remarked, "And we have to — I must tell you — we’re going to have to bring the women’s team," which prompted laughter from the men. He added, "[If I don’t] do that, I do believe I probably would be impeached, OK?"
Backlash and Fan Reactions
Trump's comments, coupled with the men's team's reaction, sparked significant backlash, particularly among fans of the Professional Women's Hockey League. Many criticized the president's "shameful" joke and labeled the men's response as "spineless."
The women's team's latest Olympic triumph, clinched by a game-winning goal from Megan Keller, marks their first gold medal on Olympic ice since the 2018 PyeongChang Games. Notably, Trump, who was president at that time, congratulated the team on social media, and they were later honored at a White House ceremony for Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
Uncertainty Surrounding White House Visits
As Republican leadership in Congress works to secure attendance for the American men at Tuesday's State of the Union address, it remains unclear whether members of either Team USA squad will participate in Trump's proposed White House visit scheduled for Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Professional Women's Hockey League, similar to the NHL, is set to resume play this week after an extended break due to the Milan Cortina Games. The ongoing developments highlight the intersection of sports, politics, and gender dynamics in high-profile athletic achievements.
