Men’s team accept call, while women focus on ‘academics and professional plans’
Team United States players celebrate after beating Canada 2-1 in overtime in the women's ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, February 19, 2026
THE US women’s hockey gold medal-winning team declined an invitation from President Donald Trump to attend his State of the Union address today.
“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,” the US women’s team said in a statement released on Monday.
“Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate. They were honoured to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.”
Trump also invited the US men’s gold medal-winning team on a phone call, a video of which has circulated online.
When extending the invitation to the men’s team on Sunday night, Trump said, “I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that,” to which members of the team laughed. Trump joked that if he did not also invite the women’s team, “I do believe I probably would be impeached.”
Matthew Tkachuk of the US men’s team said it was an honour to hear from Trump after the win. “And so we are definitely honoured to represent him and the millions and millions across the country.”
A person familiar with the situation told AP that the women’s players didn’t learn of the invitation until late Sunday night, making it difficult to change their travel plans. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly about the team’s travel plans.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the status of both teams.
The US women’s hockey team delivered an Olympic comeback for the ages by beating Canada 2-1 in overtime to win the gold medal. With her team trailing 1-0, American captain Hilary Knight forced overtime by tipping in Laila Edwards’s shot with 2:04 remaining in regulation.
Megan Keller then scored 4:07 into overtime to hand the US its third Olympic gold medal in women’s hockey.
It was the seventh time the two powerhouses faced off for Olympic gold since women’s hockey debuted at the 1998 Nagano Games. In the 2022 Beijing final, Canada beat the Americans.
