The gold medal-winning U.S. women’s hockey team has turned down an invitation from President Donald Trump to attend his State of the Union address, scheduled for Tuesday.
In a statement released on Monday, the team expressed gratitude, saying: “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.”
However, they cited prior engagements: “Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate. They were honoured to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.”
President Trump had also extended an invitation to the U.S. men’s gold medal-winning team. Their attendance also faces scheduling hurdles, with the NHL season resuming five games on Wednesday and the PWHL restarting on Thursday. Both U.S. hockey teams arrived in Miami on Monday.
The Olympic tournament featured two thrilling medal finals, both ending in overtime, with the American women beating Canada 2-1 in the gold medal game on Thursday. The U.S. men beat Canada on Sunday.
“It’s been a whirlwind, it’s been amazing. It’s a dream of ours, it was such an amazing way to unite the country,” Matthew Tkachuk of the U.S. men’s team said after arriving in Miami.
“We felt the support being across the Atlantic and now being back on home soil we could feel it the second the wheels hit the ground. So excited to be back in the greatest country in the world and so excited to celebrate.”
Tkachuk said it was an honor to hear from Trump after the win. “And so we are definitely honored to represent him and the millions and millions across the country.”
Vice President JD Vance attended two of the U.S. women’s preliminary round wins with his family over the first week of the Games.
