From Celebration to Controversy: Women’s Hockey Team Declines Trump Visit After Viral Video Sparks Debate

After winning gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics, the U.S. women’s hockey team declined an invitation to attend President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address.

The women’s team secured gold medals at the Games in Italy on Thursday, Feb. 19, when they beat Team Canada 2-1 in overtime. It was the first time the U.S. women’s team won gold since the 2018 games, after losing to Team Canada in 2022.

On Sunday, Feb. 22, the U.S. men’s team also defeated Team Canada to take home a second gold medal in hockey, also in a 2-1 game. It was the men’s first gold medal win in the tournament since 1980.

Kendall Coyne and Hilary Knight, from left, at the 2026 Winter Olympics.Gregory Shamus/Getty 

After the men’s victory, Trump spoke to the team over the phone, as seen in a video shared on social media. Trump called it “unbelievable” and invited the team to attend the State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 24.

“I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team,” Trump, 79, told the men with a laugh. “You do know that. I do believe I’d probably would be impeached [if the women’s team wasn’t invited].”

Donald Trump in February 2026.Kevin Dietsch/Getty 

The women’s team declined the offer of a trip to Washington, D.C. in a statement to NBC News.

“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 spokesperson for USA Hockey told the outlet. “Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate.”

The spokesperson said that the athletes “were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.”

In their game against Canada, the women’s team secured the win on a final goal from team captain Hilary Knight. She earned her second gold medal in hockey for Team USA and her fifth medal overall. She took home the gold in 2018 and helped the team win silver in 2010, 2014 and 2022.

After falling in love with fellow Team USA Olympian Brittany Bowe at the 2022 Games in Beijing, Knight, 36, took the next step in their relationship by proposing to her love in Italy.

Team USA’s men’s hockey team wins the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.Alexander NEMENOV / AFP via Getty 

Knight wasn’t the only member of the women’s hockey team to distinguish themselves during the 2026 Games. Laila Edwards became the first Black woman to join Team USA’s hockey team at the Olympics.

“It means everything. I think representation is so important, and role models are important, too. So to be that potential role model for someone, it means the world to me,” Edwards, 22, told PEOPLE ahead of the Games. “It’s one of the biggest things that motivates me.”

PEOPLE reached out to the White House for comment about the team’s decision.