Trump joke sparks backlash after double Olympic gold triumph
A locker-room congratulations from President Donald Trump has shifted attention away from Team USA’s rare double gold success, after comments he made about the women’s squad drew criticism from players and prompted a broader conversation about respect in sport.
According to reporting by Emma Rosemurgey in LADbible, Trump phoned the U.S. men’s ice hockey team following their Olympic victory to invite them to attend the State of the Union address at the White House. During the call, which was recorded and circulated from inside the locker room, Trump said: "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 the women’s team wasn’t invited]."
Some players could be seen laughing in the footage, and the exchange quickly spread online.
Knight says comment detracted from women’s success
Hilary Knight, captain of the U.S. Olympic women’s ice hockey team, addressed the remark during an appearance on SportsCenter on 25 February, according to ESPN coverage of the interview.
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“I thought it was sort of a distasteful joke and unfortunately that is overshadowing a lot of the success, the success of just women at the Olympics carrying for Team USA and having amazing gold medal feats," she said.
"We’re just focusing on celebrating the women in our room, the extraordinary efforts, and continue to celebrate three gold medals in programme history as well as the double gold for both men’s and women’s at the same time. And really not detract from that with a distasteful joke."
The women’s team secured another Olympic gold at the Winter Games, adding to what has become one of the most successful programs in American hockey. Their victory, combined with the men’s title, marked a significant milestone for USA Hockey.
Men’s team addresses the reaction
As debate grew, members of the men’s squad publicly emphasized their support for their counterparts.
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Speaking on Good Morning America, Jack Hughes said: "People are so negative about things. I think everyone in that locker room knows how much we support [the women’s team], how proud we are of them. The same way we feel about them, they feel about us."
Knight acknowledged that the men’s players were put in an awkward position by the situation.
"I think the guys were in a tough spot, so I think it’s a shame this storyline and narrative has kind of blown up and overshadowing that connection and genuine interest in one another and cheering each other on," she said.
Kelly Pannek, a two-time Olympic gold medallist, also commented on the call, telling reporters: "The phone call specifically, it’s not surprising, to be frank. I don’t know why we’d expect differently."
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Men’s goaltender Jeremy Swayman later reflected that his team "should've reacted differently" and added: "To share that gold medal with them is something that we’re forever grateful for."
A celebration complicated by politics
The episode has highlighted how quickly political remarks can intrude on sporting celebrations, particularly when gender equity in athletics remains an ongoing topic of debate.
While both teams have reiterated their mutual respect, the controversy briefly shifted public attention away from the historic double gold achievement and toward the tone of the President’s comment.
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