Trump Celebrates U.S. Olympic Hockey Teams, Extends State of the Union Invitation
President Donald Trump congratulated both the U.S. Men’s and Women’s Olympic hockey teams following their gold medal victories at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. The President reached out to the Men’s team via video call after their 2-1 win over Canada on Sunday, expressing his pride and acknowledging the game’s significance for the nation.
Congratulatory Call and State of the Union Invitation
According to Coach Mike Sullivan, President Trump spoke to the Men’s team, stating the game was “an inspiration to our country” and noting the high viewership in the United States. The Athletic reports that Trump also extended an invitation to the team to attend his upcoming State of the Union address on Tuesday at the United States Capitol.
Women’s Team Also Recognized
During the call with the Men’s team, President Trump indicated he would also extend an invitation to the U.S. Women’s hockey team, stating he would “have to” invite them, according to Politifact. Both teams secured gold medals at the Winter Olympics.
Team Response and Travel Plans
Team captain Auston Matthews acknowledged the honor of hearing from the President, stating, “We’re all proud Americans… To go home with a gold medal, you know how much that means to guys in this room.” However, Matthews noted logistical challenges with travel arrangements as players prepare to return to their NHL teams on Wednesday. USA Today reports the team’s flight plan was altered from New York’s JFK airport to Miami due to a storm impacting the northeast.
Previous Engagement with the Team
This is not the first time President Trump has engaged with the U.S. Men’s hockey team. In February 2025, he addressed many of the same players before their 4 Nations Face-Off championship game against Canada, a period during which he publicly discussed the possibility of adding Canada as the “51st state.”
Further Coverage
Additional reporting on this story can be found at People Magazine and The Guardian.