Donald Trump Jokes About Not Giving Back Matthew Tkachuk’s Gold Medal at White House

Donald Trump would celebrate Team USA's Olympic triumph in ice hockey with Matthew Tkachuk and his teammates at the White House on Tuesday.

Donald Trump Jokes About Not Giving Back Matthew Tkachuk’s Gold Medal at White House

Donald Trump and Matthew Tkachuk (Image via Fox News/X/@RonFilipkowski)

On Tuesday, Donald Trump welcomed Team USA to the Oval Office at the White House following their triumph over Canada at the Winter Olympics. During this visit, he would joke with Matthew Tkachuk and claim that he would not be giving back the gold medal.

February 22, 2026, saw the United States take on its arch-rivals, Canada, in the gold medal match. This was the first meeting between the two countries since the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship game in February 2025, which saw Canada beat the U.S. 3-2 in overtime.

In this intense clash, the U.S. took the lead in the first period through Matt Boldy. His goal was cancelled out by a snipe shot from Cale Makar in the second period.

With the game tied at 1-1 after the three periods of regulation time, the game went into overtime. Jack Hughes would become the American hero as he stepped up in this period and scored the golden goal to seal a famous 2-1 win.

As the celebrations began in the States, Donald Trump would have a phone call with the team in the locker room. He would congratulate them for their triumph and invite them to The White House to celebrate.

During this meeting, Trump would share a hilarious moment with Matthew Tkachuk. The forward, who has been to the White House before with the Florida Panthers after their Stanley Cup success, would drape his gold medal across the neck of Trump.

The U.S. President would laugh and claim that he will not be giving it back.

I’m not giving it back.

Donald Trump said

Tkachuk would joke back and express that he would trade away the gold medal for one of his pens from the desk.

I’ll trade you that for a pen.

Matthew Tkachuk told Donald Trump

This win marked the USA’s first Olympic gold medal in men’s ice hockey since 1980. Their win coincidentally came on the 46th Anniversary of the day they defeated the Soviet Union 4-3, a feat which is now termed as the “Miracle on Ice.”

This triumph also saw the United States complete a double over Canada in ice hockey at the Milano Cortina. Days before the men’s team beat Canada 2-1, the women’s team also defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime. Megan Keller was the one who stole the headlines that day with her golden goal.

Donald Trump announces awarding Connor Hellebuyck the Presidential Medal of Freedom

One member who played a key part in the United States of America winning the gold medal was Connor Hellebuyck. For his performances, he will now be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the U.S., by Donald Trump.

Donald Trump and Connor Hellebuyck
Donald Trump and Connor Hellebuyck (Image via Sky News/Mint)

The goaltender stood tall in front of the net on Sunday and made 41 saves. One of them included him denying Devon Toews with his stick by stretching behind and stopping the Canadian star from tapping it in from close range.

During the State of the Union speech, Trump hailed the Winnipeg Jets star and announced that he would receive this honor for his impressive performance.

I’ve never seen a goaltender play as well as goalie Connor Hellebuyck.

Donald Trump said regarding Connor Hellebuyck

Hellebuyck went 5-0-0 in the Winter Olympics and had a .956 Save Percentage and a 1.18 Goals Against Average (GAA). He made 131 saves and conceded just 6 goals throughout the entire campaign.

The 2024-25 Hart Memorial Trophy winner will now join an exclusive list of athletes to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He will be the first hockey star to be bestowed with this honor.

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