Women’s Hockey Team Declines Trump Invite While Men Signal Yes

Two gold medals. Two overtime thrillers against Canada. And now, two very different responses to an invitation from President Donald Trump.

After both the U.S. women’s and men’s hockey teams captured Olympic gold this week in dramatic fashion, Trump invited the teams to attend his State of the Union address. The reactions could not have been more different.

On Monday, a spokesman for USA Hockey confirmed that the U.S. women’s team would not attend the president’s address, citing prior obligations.

“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 spokesman said. “However, the athletes are unable to participate due to previously scheduled academic and professional commitments.”

The women’s team had an extraordinary Olympic run. They allowed just two goals across the entire tournament and defeated Canada 5-0 in the preliminary round. In the gold-medal game, they staged a late comeback after trailing, with Hilary Knight tying the contest in the final minutes before Megan Keller sealed the victory in sudden-death overtime.

The invitation to attend a State of the Union address is considered rare and symbolic. Members of Congress and leadership are allotted only a limited number of guest spots.

By contrast, the men’s team appeared energized by Trump’s call following their overtime win over Canada the United States’ first men’s Olympic hockey gold since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice.”

Trump phoned the team in the locker room, congratulating the players and extending the invitation personally.

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

Players responded enthusiastically, shouting, “We’re in!”

Trump added that he would be honored to host both teams and joked that failing to invite the women’s squad might get him “impeached.”

The men’s team later flew back to the United States, landing in Miami after weather disruptions in the Northeast rerouted flights. Star forward Matthew Tkachuk told reporters it was “an honor” to receive the president’s call and said the team was proud to represent the country.

“We’re definitely honored to represent him and hundreds of millions across the country, bringing a gold medal back,” Tkachuk said.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said officials were working through the logistics of potentially hosting both teams in Washington, noting that the State of the Union is a formal joint session of Congress with limited space.

“There’s no way to have special guests on the floor because it’s a literal session of Congress,” Johnson said. “But we’re going to work and do what we can to accommodate.”

The differing responses underscore how even celebratory, patriotic moments can intersect with scheduling realities and political optics.

What remains beyond dispute is the historic nature of both victories: two gold medals, both secured in overtime against the nation’s fiercest hockey rival.

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