US women’s hockey team rejects invitation to Trump’s State of the Union
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The United States women’s ice hockey team, fresh off a gold medal victory over Canada at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games, declined an invitation from President Donald Trump to attend his State of the Union address on Tuesday.
“We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal-winning US women’s hockey team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement,” USA Hockey told NBC News. “Due to the calendar and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments after the Games, athletes are not able to participate.
“They were honored to be included and are grateful for the recognition.”
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Team USA celebrates after their victory over Sweden at the Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, on February 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from News Digital.
The women’s hockey team dominated at the Olympics, and it all came down to the gold medal game against rival Team Canada last week in a thriller that required overtime after a late goal by Hilary Knight tied the game at one apiece with less than two minutes left in the third period.
Knight’s heroics led to the golden three-on-three overtime period, where Megan Keller received a pass on the ice, made a deft deke on a Canadian defender, and backhanded it past the goalie for the win.
Just a few days later, the men’s hockey team did exactly the same thing against Canada, as Jack Hughes scored the winning goal in overtime on Sunday afternoon to end the Milan Cortina Games in style for the United States.
During a call to the men’s hockey team Sunday night after their victory, Trump also invited the team to the State of the Union. It’s unclear if they plan to attend considering the NHL schedule resumes Wednesday night.
USA’s Grace Zumwinkle, left, and Taylor Heise celebrate after the women’s ice hockey victory ceremony at the Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
As Trump explained that he could “send a military plane or something” for the team, a player interrupted him and said, “We’re in.”
Trump then mentioned FBI Director Kash Patel, who was seen celebrating with the team in the locker room after winning the gold medal.
“We will get Kash and we will get the military to help them,” Trump continued. “You won’t have to worry about the weather or landing. We don’t care if it’s snowing or if it’s the worst blizzard – we’ll sail like you did on the ice.”
Trump also mentioned the women’s hockey team in the phone call.
“I have to tell you that we are going to have to bring in the women’s team, you know that,” Trump was heard saying over the phone to the men’s team.
Team USA poses after the medal ceremony following their gold medal game against Canada at the Winter Olympics at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Stadium on February 19, 2026 in Milan. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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Trump also joked, “I think I’d probably get impeached” if he didn’t invite the women’s team in addition to the men’s.
The Professional Women’s Hockey League will also resume play Thursday night.
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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for News Digital.