Trump invites US Olympic hockey teams to White House, State of the Union address

The women's hockey team turned down the president's invitation Monday, citing timing issues with other academic and professional commitments.

Published: February 23, 2026 10:29am

Updated: February 23, 2026 4:35pm

President Trump has invited both the U.S. men's Olympic hockey team and women's Olympic hockey team to the State of the Union address and to the White House after their gold medal wins against Canada.

Trump talked to the men's team on a post-game call facilitated by FBI Director Kash Patel in the Team USA locker room after the 2-1 overtime win in Italy on Sunday, the New York Post reported.

“We’re giving the State of the Union speech on Tuesday night,” Trump said. “I could send a military plane or something, but if you would like to, it’s the coolest night."

“We’re in,” one of the players said, while others added, “Yeah, we’re in.”

“Can you pick us up in Miami on Tuesday morning?” asked another of the players.

“We’ll get Kash, and we’ll get the military to get you guys over,” Trump said. “The nice thing about being president is, I can tell you, you don’t have to worry about the weather or landing.”

Trump also invited the team to the White House on Wednesday, saying, “We’ll just have some fun, we have medals for you guys.”

“I must tell you, we're gonna have to bring the women’s team, you do know that,” he chuckled, with the players laughing.

If he didn’t invite the women, “I do believe I probably would be impeached, OK?” Trump said jokingly, to laughs from the players.

The U.S. women's hockey team defeated Canada by the same 2-1 score as the men's team, also in overtime. on Thursday, with the men completing an American gold medal sweep for the first time since women’s hockey became an Olympic sport in 1998.

The women's hockey team turned down the president's invitation Monday, citing timing issues with other academic and professional commitments.

"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," a USA Hockey spokesperson told NBC News. "They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment."

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