UPDATE: Team USA star Jack Hughes has spoken out amid backlash following the men’s hockey team’s acceptance of an invitation from Donald Trump after their dramatic 2–1 overtime victory against Canada in the Milan 2026 Winter Olympics. The men’s squad faced criticism for their interactions with Trump in the locker room shortly after the win, where Hughes scored the decisive goal.
In a light-hearted moment during the call, Trump joked he would be “impeached” if he didn’t also invite the women’s team, who also captured gold in Milan, eliciting laughter from the players. However, just one day later, the women’s team announced it would decline the invitation to attend celebrations in Washington D.C..
Speaking to the Daily Mail during the team’s celebration in Miami on Monday night, Hughes addressed the negative reactions: “Everyone is giving us backlash for all the social media stuff today. People are so negative out there… I think everyone in that locker room knows how much we support them.”
Hughes, who was in the cafeteria with the women’s team at 3:30 AM after their gold medal win, emphasized the camaraderie between the teams and said, “We’re so proud to represent the US and when you get the chance to go to the White House and meet the president, we’re proud to be Americans.”
While the men’s team prepares for their visit to the White House, the women’s team issued a statement explaining their decision to decline the invitation: “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.” The statement cited “previously scheduled academic and professional commitments” as the reason for their absence.
The women’s team’s choice has sparked debate on social media, with many questioning whether the decision is based solely on scheduling conflicts or a response to Trump’s remarks. As the teams celebrate their historic victories, the implications of their choices continue to resonate within the sports community and beyond.
As the situation develops, eyes are on both teams as they navigate the complex intersection of sports, politics, and public perception. Stay tuned for further updates on this story as it unfolds.
