Washington: A celebratory moment for Team USA’s women’s hockey squad has been followed by controversy after a joke by President Donald Trump during a congratulatory phone call drew criticism and ignited debate across social media.
The incident occurred shortly after both the U.S. men’s and women’s teams captured gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics. While speaking to the men’s team as they celebrated their 2–1 victory over Canada, Trump invited them to attend the upcoming State of the Union address. During the call, he joked that he would “have to invite the women, too,” prompting laughter in the locker room — a moment that was recorded and quickly circulated online.
Critics argued the remark diminished the women’s historic triumph, shifting attention away from one of the most dominant Olympic performances in recent memory.
Players Respond
U.S. captain Hilary Knight described the comment as “distasteful” but sought to redirect the focus to the team’s achievement.
“This is a learning moment about how we talk about women — not only in sport, but in industry,” Knight said during an ESPN appearance.
“Women aren’t less than, and our achievements shouldn’t be overshadowed by anything other than how great they are.”
Knight, who became the most decorated American hockey player in Olympic history with her second gold medal, emphasized that the team’s success on the ice should remain the headline. The U.S. women secured gold in Milan while setting a Games record by holding opponents scoreless for 331 minutes and 23 seconds.
Forward Kelly Pannek echoed that sentiment, noting that the squad felt strong support internally throughout the tournament.
“For us, it’s about getting back to the focus on our team and what we accomplished,” Pannek said.
Teammate Hayley Scamurra added that the outpouring of public support since the incident has far outweighed any negativity.
Aftermath and White House Invite
While the majority of the U.S. men’s team attended the State of the Union address, the women’s team declined due to prior professional and academic commitments. Trump later said he looked forward to hosting the women’s champions at the White House in the future.
The episode has fueled broader conversations about respect, recognition and equality in sport. For the players themselves, however, the priority remains unchanged — preserving the legacy of a gold medal run that many consider the finest in U.S. women’s hockey history.
Despite the off-ice distraction, the message from Team USA is firm: their performance in Milan stands on its own.
Source: NBC News, ESPN
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