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U.S. Women’s Hockey Team declines Trump invite to State of the Union

The gold-medal women's squad turned down the invite after video showed the president joking about them

Nights and Weekends Editor

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Gold medalist Hilary Knight #21 of Team United States celebrates after the medal ceremony for Women's Ice Hockey after the Women's Gold Medal match between the United States and Canada on day 13 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 19, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)
Gold medalist Hilary Knight #21 of Team United States celebrates after the medal ceremony for Women's Ice Hockey after the Women's Gold Medal match between the United States and Canada on day 13 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 19, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

The U.S. Women’s Hockey Team declined an invite to President Donald Trump‘s State of the Union address on Monday, shortly after a clip of Trump making light of the women’s team made the rounds.

Both American squads won gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, taking down the Canadian team in their respective finals. On Sunday, Trump invited the men’s team to his annual speech and joked about the inclusion of the women’s team.

“I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that,” Trump said, adding that he “probably would be impeached” if he didn’t.

Trump celebrated the men’s hockey win on social media, lauding the team on Truth Social after their overtime victory.

“Congratulations to our great U.S.A. Ice Hockey team. THEY WON THE GOLD. WOW!” he wrote.

When the women’s team won just days earlier, Trump remained silent.


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On Monday, the women’s team shared in a statement that they would not be attending the State of the Union. The statement made no mention of Trump’s comments, citing “academic and professional commitments” for the athletes’ decision.

“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 said. “Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate.”


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