President Donald Trump said the U.S. women’s hockey team ‘will soon’ visit the White House after winning the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The announcement came moments after Trump welcomed in the U.S. men’s hockey team during his State of the Union address on Tuesday, Feb. 24. Both the men’s and women’s teams beat Canada 2-1 in overtime in the gold medal game.
Megan Keller scored the winning goal for the women. Jack Hughes scored for the men.
‘[The U.S. men’s hockey team] beat a fantastic Canadian team in overtime … as did the American women, who will soon be coming to the White House,’ Trump said.
It wasn’t immediately clear when the women’s team will visit the White House. A call to U.S. women’s hockey spokesperson Melissa Katz seeking comment from USA TODAY Sports was not immediately returned.
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Trump-USA women’s hockey controversy, explained
Trump’s statement during Tuesday’s address comes after his invitation to both teams to attend the State of the Union sparked controversy.
He added, jokingly, ‘I do believe I probably would be impeached’ if he didn’t invite the women’s team.
The comments sparked backlash and were amplified when the women’s team declined its invitation to visit the White House and attend Tuesday’s address, citing ‘timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments.’
The men’s team, save for five players, visited the White House and Oval Office earlier on Tuesday before appearing at the State of the Union.