“I’m Not a Trump Guy But…I Would Go,” Charles Barkley Reacts to USA Men and Women’s Teams’ White House Invite Controversy

Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley had some harsh words and sounded off about the public’s frenzied reactions to President Donald Trump‘s comments. The political landscape in the United States of America has been alarming lately. Unfortunately, the U.S men’s and women’s hockey teams got dragged into controversy this time.

Charles Barkley is well known for never shying away from speaking his mind, whether it is about basketball or politics. Barkley raised his voice about the events taking place in Minneapolis after the shootings of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti.

However, this time, it was about the U.S men’s and women’s hockey teams. Both teams claimed the gold medal at the Winter Olympics held in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. The U.S men’s team defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime in the gold medal game and claimed their first gold medal since 1980. Meanwhile, the U.S. women’s team had a similar score line against Canada in the final as well.

Following their gold medal win, FBI director Kash Patel took part in the locker room celebrations of the US men’s team. During the celebrations, President Donald Trump called the men’s team to congratulate them on their win while joking about the gold-medal-winning US women’s ice hockey team.

Trump joked that he would have to call the women’s team, too, or he would risk getting impeached. Players were seen laughing along with his joke. Trump’s comments came under harsh criticism for their sexist nature.

On the latest episode of Barkley’s Steam Room podcast with Ernie Johnson, the Chuckster blasted the critics of the men’s Olympic gold medal-winning hockey team for accepting the president’s invitation to the nation’s capital.

I’m proud of the United States men. I’m proud of the United States women. You should have invited both of them to the White House, but it shouldn’t have been disrespect, misogyny. I’ve said this before, I’m not a Trump guy. But if I got invited to the White House, I would go. I want to make that clear. But I respect the office. He’s the president of the United States. But if guys don’t want to go, I understand that too. It doesn’t have to be a talking point.

Despite the points of contention and despite having political differences from Trump, Barkley claims he would have accepted an invitation to the White House, just as the U.S. men’s hockey team did. But it is unfortunate that the whole situation overshadowed the achievements of both teams.

Luka Doncic is not an MVP contender anymore

Since joining the Lakers at the trade deadline last year, Luka Doncic has been the focal point of this team as the Lakers’ front office prepares for life in the post-LeBron James era. The Slovenian leads the league in scoring and has helped the Los Angeles Lakers stay in the top-six in a highly competitive Western Conference standings.

However, the Lakers have struggled with their form since the turn of the year. Barkley believes Doncic should no longer be in the running for the regular-season MVP award.

We love Luka, take him off the list. That ship has sailed, okay? Let’s stop it, Ernie [Johnson]… The Lakers out here tanking right now. Adam Silver gotta fine them soon, because they just out here tanking… The Lakers lost to the Suns last night… They’re closer to the play-in than they are first place… Adam Silver just don’t have the courage to fine the Lakers.

Charles Barkley blasts the Lakers 🍿

“We love Luka, take him off the (mvp) list. That ship has sailed. The Lakers out here tanking right now… Adam Silver just don’t have the courage to fine the Lakers”

(h/t @NBA__Courtside)pic.twitter.com/tRBGb5xI2t

— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) February 28, 2026

Doncic is top-three for the MVP award alongside SGA and Nikola Jokic at the moment. He is currently averaging 32.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 8.6 assists in 48 appearances this season.

Charles Barkley tears into new NBA media rights landscape

Watching the NBA in the United States has not been easy this season. The league’s new media rights deal sprinkles games throughout ESPN/ABC, NBC/Peacock, and Amazon’s Prime Video.

Barkley made an appearance on Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser‘s show on ESPN and went on to say that people “don’t know” when games are on, and where.

It is so difficult for fans to find the games now. I think we’ve done a disservice to the fans and to the game. We’ve got to find a way to let the fans know. Because the fans are the backbone, and we want to support these networks. We’ve got to be very careful because we’ve got an 11-year deal, and it’s a team deal. The players are gonna be successful, but we want the networks to be successful also.

"I think we've done a disservice to the fans and to the game."

Charles Barkley says the NBA's new media deal has made it harder for fans to watch pic.twitter.com/xMy95U941j

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 27, 2026

The new media rights deal, signed in July 2024, was inked for 11 years and $77 billion, and it kicked in this year. It remains to be seen if the NBA decides to make it easier for the fans in the future or if things continue in the same way.

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