Trump Frames Women’s Hockey Invite as an Obligation to Avoid Impeachment In Call With Men’s Team

The women’s ice hockey team also won gold at the Winter Olympics, their third gold medal in history and eighth consecutive podium finish.

Trump Frames Women’s Hockey Invite as an Obligation to Avoid Impeachment In Call With Men’s Team

Donald Trump reduced inviting women’s hockey team who won gold in Milano Cortina to a compliance issue (Images via @usahockey on X, Getty Images)

In Short
  • Trump invited the US men's hockey team to the State of the Union, joking about needing to include the women's team to avoid impeachment.
  • The women's hockey team declined the invitation due to prior commitments and scheduling conflicts.
  • Controversy arose over the men's team's perceived dismissal of the women's achievements during the celebration.

The United States of America wrapped up their Milano Cortina 2026 campaign with a stellar win over the mighty Canadians in a thrilling overtime finale. The scenes of Johnny Gaudreau’s kids making the gold medal photo was one of the wholesome moments of the entire past two weeks.

The shift happened almost instantaneously, the imagery went from patriotic to disappointment real quick. In the locker room, FBI director Kash Patel, joining the US men’s team and partying with them, received immediate backlash, considering the backdrop of the agency’s widely criticised handling of the Epstein Files and whether taxpayer dollars went into Patel’s beer haul celebration.

Patel, 45, amid his locker room revelry, also included a phone call from Donald Trump. The business mogul echoed his Truth Social congratulations, worded in characteristic capital letters. He invited the team to his State of the Union address, as well as promised that the team would have a military welcome as they came back from the Winter Olympics.

There were a few comments that raised some eyebrows, but it was his underhanded comment on inviting the women’s hockey team that has seen a justified outcry.

We’ll just have some fun, we have medals for you guys. And we have to — I must tell you — we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that. I do believe I probably would be impeached [if I didn’t],” Trump said on the call, chuckling in between.

The men’s team joining in on the misogynistic erasure of the women’s team’s achievements has been called out as performative support. Jack Hughes had even mentioned that the Megan Keller goal to win the gold in the women’s final two days ago was running on his mind while he had his own golden goal moment.

The political nature of the country adds a deep layer to the whole controversy. The Republicans are rallying around to bring forth the controversial SAVE Act, which could prevent many married women from voting by requiring proof of citizenship that matches their current legal name, something millions lack because their birth certificates still show their maiden names. In addition, podcasters like Nick Fuentes have been openly calling for the oppression of women.

The women’s ice hockey team decline invitation, citing professional commitments

The United States of America women’s team cruised to their third Olympic gold medal in a dominant fashion. They had an absolute fiery streak, starting with their eighth consecutive win in the tournament opener to the complete dominance with 352 minutes and 21 seconds with no goals against.

Womens Ice Hockey Team
The women’s hockey team posing with their gold medals after defeating Canada 2-1 in overtime (Image via @usahockey on X)

The women’s team was also invited to the State of the Union and the White House, though only after Sunday, despite their event concluding on Friday. They have since declined the invitation, citing previously scheduled commitments. The team said in a statement:

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. Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate.

The team was informed of the invitation only late Sunday night, a delay that made changing travel plans nearly impossible, a person familiar with the situation told the AP. Most players were not due to return to North America until Monday night after the Olympic closing ceremony.

The women’s team arrived in a commercial flight to Atlanta, while the men’s team was afforded a chartered flight to Miami. The Professional Women’s Hockey League is set to start on February 26, 2026 with New York Sirens taking on the Montreal Victoire.

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