Following their Olympic gold medal win, members of the U.S. men’s hockey team traveled to Washington, D.C., after receiving an invitation from Donald Trump to attend his State of the Union address. The invitation came during a celebratory locker room phone call in which the president congratulated the team and offered transportation to the event. During the call, he also referenced inviting the women’s team, joking that failing to do so might lead to impeachment. The comment prompted laughter from some players and quickly circulated on social media, drawing mixed reactions online. Shortly afterward, a spokesperson for the U.S. women’s hockey team confirmed they would not attend the address, citing prior academic and professional commitments. The women’s team, which also secured Olympic gold, expressed appreciation for the recognition but declined the invitation due to scheduling conflicts.

When the men’s team visited the White House, several players were absent, though no official reasons were given beyond scheduling and team commitments. One player publicly stated he chose to focus on upcoming league games. Online discussion intensified, with some critics describing the president’s remarks as inappropriate, while others defended the exchange as lighthearted. The situation highlighted the broader intersection of sports and politics, as championship visits to the White House have increasingly drawn public debate in recent years. Despite the controversy, both teams’ athletic achievements remained a central point of pride, with supporters emphasizing their historic performances on the international stage.