Team USA’s men’s hockey team traveled to Washington, D.C., after winning the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The athletes attended President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
The team received an invitation following their gold medal victory against Team Canada on Sunday, Feb. 22. During the address, President Trump praised the players, calling them “a group of winners who have made our nation proud.” His remarks led to chants of “USA” from the audience.
Trump also mentioned the U.S. women’s hockey team, who declined the invitation. He stated that they would soon visit the White House to celebrate their own gold medal win.
Before attending the congressional address, the men’s team visited the Oval Office. The invitation followed a locker-room phone call from Trump, during which he congratulated the players on their overtime victory. He described the win as “unbelievable” and encouraged the team to attend the State of the Union, calling it “the coolest night.”
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During the call, Trump joked about also inviting the women’s team, saying he would “probably be impeached” if they were not included. Some observers interpreted the comment as critical, though both teams had secured gold medals at the Games.
According to USA Hockey, the women’s team has won three Olympic gold medals and multiple silver and bronze medals. Their most recent gold medal victory marked their first since 2018. The men’s team has won three gold medals, including victories in 1960, 1980, and 2026.
USA Hockey later explained that the women’s team declined the invitation due to scheduling conflicts, citing academic and professional commitments following the Olympics. The organization stated that the athletes were grateful for the recognition.
Team USA player Jack Hughes expressed excitement about visiting Washington. He emphasized that the team’s focus was on representing the country as athletes rather than engaging in political debates. Hughes also noted that the men’s and women’s teams strongly support each other.
Several Team USA athletes faced public criticism during the Games after making political statements. Olympic skier Hunter Hess received negative reactions following comments about having “mixed emotions” about representing the United States. Despite the controversy, Hess reaffirmed his pride in competing for Team USA.
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Figure skater Amber Glenn also reported receiving significant online harassment after addressing political topics. She later announced plans to step back from social media.
Vice President JD Vance attended the Opening Ceremony alongside Usha Vance. In a later interview, he encouraged athletes to focus on uniting the country while representing the United States, stating that international competition should prioritize sports over politics.
