In a moment that highlighted both national pride and lingering tensions, President Donald Trump announced during his State of the Union address on Tuesday night that the gold-medal-winning U.S. women's ice hockey team would soon visit the White House to celebrate their Olympic triumph. Speaking before a joint session of Congress in Washington, D.C., Trump referenced the team's dramatic overtime victory over Canada at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, drawing applause as he contrasted it with the recent salute to the men's team inside the House chamber.
"They beat a fantastic Canadian team in overtime as everybody saw, as did the American women who will soon be coming to the White House," Trump said, according to reports from the event. The comment came amid broader discussions on sports achievements, including the president's announcement that men's hockey goalie Connor Hellebuyck would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his standout performance in the gold-medal game—a 41-save effort that forced overtime and paved the way for forward Jack Hughes' game-winning goal.
The women's team had secured their gold on February 19, 2026, at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, defeating Canada in a thrilling overtime finish thanks to a goal from defender Megan Keller. The victory marked a significant milestone for U.S. women's hockey, building on their storied rivalry with Canada, which has defined the sport for decades. Just three days later, on February 22, the men's team mirrored the feat, also edging out Canada in overtime with Hughes' heroics, creating a rare double-gold sweep for American hockey at the Winter Games.
Despite the shared glory, the women's team was notably absent from the State of the Union, having declined an invitation from the White House due to scheduling conflicts. "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," USA Hockey stated in a response to NBC News. "Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate. They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment."
USA Hockey and White House officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital regarding whether the team had accepted the subsequent invitation for a White House visit. The decline sparked some online debate, particularly in light of earlier interactions between Trump and the teams. On Sunday, February 22, following the men's victory, Trump placed a congratulatory phone call to the squad, during which he quipped about the need to extend a similar honor to the women to avoid political backlash.
"I probably would be impeached," Trump said on the call, according to a viral clip that circulated widely on social media, prompting laughter from the men's team. The remark drew criticism from some quarters, who viewed it as dismissive of the women's accomplishments, especially since Keller's overtime goal had come just days earlier and mirrored Hughes' in significance. Critics argued it overshadowed the parity between the teams, while supporters dismissed it as lighthearted banter.
Ellen Hughes, mother of Jack and Quinn Hughes and a player development consultant for the U.S. women's ice hockey team, pushed back against the backlash during an appearance on NBC's "Today" show. "These players, both the men and women, can bring so much unity to a group and to a country," she said. "People that cheered on that don’t watch hockey, people that have politics on one side or on the other side, and that’s all both the men’s team and the women’s team care about."
Hughes emphasized the camaraderie forged during the Olympics, where athletes from both teams shared facilities in Milan. "If you could see what we see from the inside, and the men and women sharing, you know, dorm rooms and halls and flex floors and the camaraderie and the synergy and the way the women cheered on the men and the way the men cheered on the women—that’s what it’s all about," she continued. "And the other things they cannot control. They care about humanity. They care about unity, and they care about the country."
Quinn Hughes, who scored the overtime winner in the men's quarterfinal against Sweden earlier in the tournament, echoed his mother's sentiments in post-game comments. "Me and Jack were there, we watched them win the gold medal," he said of the women's final. "They came to our game and were able to watch us. So, just the support back and forth, just to get to know them a little better was special, too." His words underscored the mutual respect that defined the U.S. delegation's experience in Italy, where the Olympics ran from February 6 to February 23, 2026.
The Milano Cortina Games marked the first Winter Olympics hosted in Italy since 2006, with hockey events drawing massive international attention amid the U.S.-Canada rivalry. The women's final, attended by several men's team members including the Hughes brothers, saw forward Grace Zumwinkle and captain Taylor Heise among those celebrating on the ice after the medal ceremony. Photographers captured the joy of the moment, with the team posing triumphantly under the arena lights.
Trump's decision to honor Hellebuyck with the Medal of Freedom added another layer to the evening's sports-focused narrative. The president noted that he had consulted with the men's team during an earlier Oval Office visit on Tuesday, praising the goalie's resilience. "Connor Hellebuyck, whose 41-save performance was needed to force overtime," Trump said, highlighting how it allowed Hughes' golden opportunity. The award, the highest U.S. civilian honor, recognizes exceptional contributions to national security, world peace, or cultural interests, and Hellebuyck's inclusion spotlighted hockey's role in fostering American spirit.
While the women's team's White House visit remains unconfirmed, the invitation signals an effort to bridge any perceived divides from the SOTU absence. The episode reflects broader themes in U.S. sports, where Olympic successes often transcend politics but occasionally intersect with them. Past White House visits by champion teams, such as the 2018 U.S. women's hockey squad under a different administration, have served as unifying events, drawing athletes from diverse backgrounds to the nation's capital.
As the nation digests the double golds from Milan— the first such feat for U.S. hockey since the 1960 Squaw Valley Games—attention now turns to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Trump touched on those plans during his address, envisioning a showcase of American excellence. For the hockey teams, the focus shifts to professional leagues and future international competitions, with players like Keller and Heise returning to the Professional Women's Hockey League and Hughes to the NHL.
The unity Ellen Hughes described may prove enduring, as social media buzz from the Olympics continues to highlight cross-team support. Videos of the women's victory celebration, including Heise and Zumwinkle's embrace, have garnered millions of views, inspiring a new generation of fans. Meanwhile, the men's team's laughter on Trump's call, while controversial to some, was framed by players as a moment of levity amid high-stakes triumph.
Looking ahead, officials from USA Hockey have hinted at potential joint events to capitalize on the momentum, though details remain forthcoming. Whether the women's team makes good on the White House trip could further cement the narrative of shared success, or it might fuel ongoing discussions about recognition in women's sports. For now, the gold medals from Milan stand as a testament to the grit and teamwork that defined both squads.