Men’s Hockey Faces Outrage Over Trump Joke

The U.S. men’s hockey team’s historic Olympic gold victory became a lightning rod for manufactured outrage when President Trump’s congratulatory phone call sparked backlash—yet the champions refused to apologize, proudly representing America at the State of the Union instead.

Story Snapshot

U.S. men’s hockey team won first Olympic gold in 46 years with overtime victory over Canada at 2026 Milan Games
Trump’s post-game locker room call went viral after he joked about inviting women’s team too or facing “impeachment”
Online petition demanded apology for “mocking” women’s team; men’s team refused, attended SOTU and White House visit
Jack Hughes dismissed criticism as “so negative,” defending team’s patriotism amid politicization of their achievement

Historic Victory Overshadowed by Political Storm

Jack Hughes scored the game-winning goal in overtime Sunday as Team USA defeated Canada to claim Olympic gold in men’s ice hockey for the first time since the Miracle on Ice in 1980. The 46-year drought ended at the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics in dramatic fashion, matching the women’s team’s gold medal won days earlier. FBI Director Kash Patel facilitated a celebratory phone call from President Trump to the victorious locker room immediately after the historic win. Trump congratulated the team, invited them to the State of the Union address on February 24, and jokingly remarked he’d “probably be impeached” if he didn’t also invite the women’s team.

Backlash Erupts Over Locker Room Laughter

The viral video of the team’s laughter during Trump’s quip triggered immediate criticism from left-leaning activists claiming the men disrespected the women’s team, who had secured their third Olympic gold with a 2-1 overtime victory over Canada. A MoveOn.org petition demanding an apology and boycott garnered over 20,000 signatures within days. Olympic athletes Mikaela Shiffrin and Lindsey Vonn amplified support for the women’s team on social media. USA Hockey issued a statement Monday on behalf of the women’s team politely declining the SOTU invitation due to scheduling conflicts, though critics questioned the timing following the viral call.

Team Refuses to Bend to Woke Pressure

Jack Hughes defended his teammates in a February 23 interview, stating “Everything is so political” and dismissing detractors as “trying to make something out of nothing.” He emphasized the team’s pride in representing America, calling the backlash “so negative.” Quinn Hughes expressed happiness for the women’s team, noting both squads trained together in recent summers. The men’s team proceeded with their scheduled White House visit and attended the State of the Union address as planned, refusing to apologize or cancel appearances despite mounting pressure from petition organizers and social media activists demanding accountability for perceived sexism.

Trump Celebrates Champions at State of the Union

President Trump praised the gold medalists during his February 24 State of the Union address, highlighting their historic achievement and referencing their earlier Oval Office visit. The team’s prominent attendance underscored their rejection of the manufactured controversy, standing firm in their patriotism against critics attempting to weaponize gender politics. This episode reflects the broader frustration many Americans feel watching leftist activists politicize genuine moments of national pride, turning a celebration of athletic excellence into another culture war battlefield. The team’s refusal to cave to woke demands demonstrates the kind of backbone conservatives appreciate—celebrating America without apology, regardless of social media mob tactics.

Both hockey teams earned gold medals and deserved celebration, yet activists manufactured conflict where none existed. The women’s team graciously declined their invitation citing legitimate scheduling constraints, while the men honored theirs—a straightforward outcome twisted into accusations of sexism. This pattern of weaponizing every interaction through a political lens exhausts ordinary Americans who simply want to celebrate their country’s successes without navigating endless outrage cycles designed to divide rather than unite.