The U.S. women’s hockey team declined an invitation to join President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., this week, after he called the men’s hockey team to congratulate them and invite them to the State of the Union address, while insinuating he also had to invite the women’s team out of obligation.
In a video of the locker room call, recorded and posted online, Trump praised the “unbelievable” men’s hockey team for winning Olympic gold against Canada over the weekend and invited them to his annual address. The president said he would also invite the team to the White House for a visit.
“I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that,” Trump said with a chuckle, provoking roaring laughter from the team.
The president added, “I do believe I would probably be impeached” if he didn’t invite the USA women’s team, which also won gold against Canada last week.
A day after the president’s call, the U.S. women’s hockey team said they would turn down the president’s invitation, citing scheduling conflicts.
“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 in a statement obtained by NBC News.
“Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate,” the spokesperson added.
Trump’s phone call with the men’s hockey team went viral online, sparking anger from some who believed the president was being dismissive of the women’s team.
“Culture and integrity matter,” Carey Lohrenz, a former U.S. Navy lieutenant who became the first qualified woman naval aviator to fly an F-14 Tomcat, wrote on X.
“The USA women’s hockey team has medaled in EVERY Olympic Games since the inaugural tournament in Nagano, including gold in 1998, 2018, and now 2026. I’d be proud to invite them to my house…” Lohrenz added.
Shannon Watts, an anti-gun violence activist, said Trump seemed to “begrundgingly invite the women’s gold-winning team.”
Sports commentator Keith Olbermann suggested the men’s hockey team should “refuse” Trump’s invitation to the State of the Union out of protest for his comments about the women’s invite.
“Anybody smart (or respectful of women athletes) on the U.S. Men’s Olympic hockey team or connected to it, will refuse Trump’s invitation to The State of the Union. Any who show up are declaring their indelible stupidity and misogyny. The End,” Olbermann wrote.
It is unclear if Trump also called the U.S. women’s hockey team directly to congratulate them. The White House posted on social media, congratulating the women’s hockey team for their win.
The Independent has asked the USA Women’s Hockey team and the White House for comment.
It’s also unclear if the USA men’s hockey team will be able to make Trump’s annual address Tuesday evening. Players appeared to be highly interested in attending the event, but National Hockey League games are starting back up this week.
FBI Director Kash Patel, who was seen celebrating with the men’s hockey team post-game, facilitated the call between the players and the president and promised to bring the players to D.C. at the president’s request.
