The United States women’s Olympic ice hockey team fresh off winning gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina has politely declined an invitation from President Donald Trump to attend his State of the Union address in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday. The team issued a statement saying they were “sincerely grateful” for the invitation but were unable to attend due to already scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games.
The women’s squad secured a thrilling 2–1 overtime victory over Canada to win Olympic gold, their first championship since 2018. Given the tight scheduling of travel and events immediately following the Olympics — including return flights and league play — the team said it could not rearrange its plans to attend the Capitol event.
How the Invitation Was Extended
President Trump invited both U.S. hockey teams — men’s and women’s — to the State of the Union after their success at the Olympics. His remarks came during a locker-room phone call with the men’s team shortly after their gold-medal win, in which he joked he “would probably be impeached” if he did not also invite the women’s team. That comment — shared widely on social media — amplified public attention and debate around the teams’ response. While the women’s team declined the invitation, the men’s team attended the address, where Trump praised their performance and celebrated their Olympic victory.
Team’s Official Statement and Logistics
According to a USA Hockey spokesperson, the women’s team was “deeply appreciative of the recognition of their extraordinary achievement,” but logistical challenges made participation impossible. Players were reportedly scheduled to travel home, return to professional leagues such as the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), or fulfill academic obligations shortly after arriving back in the U.S. Given the late-night invitation and short timeframe, the team opted not to rearrange pre-existing plans. The Olympic calendar — which saw the women win gold on Thursday and the men win later — contributed to the scheduling crunch. NHL and PWHL schedules resume quickly after the Olympic break, limiting flexibility for players with club commitments.
Public and Political Reaction
The team’s decision sparked mixed reactions online and in public discourse. Some observers praised the players for prioritising their professional and personal commitments after a long Olympic campaign. Others interpreted the move as a political statement in response to the tone of Trump’s remarks during the invitation call, interpreting the denial as subtle pushback against perceived disrespect. On social media platforms, many fans supported the women for standing firm on their schedule, with some even joking about alternative celebrations offered by public figures outside political circles. Others, however, criticised the decision, arguing that attending a presidential event honours national achievement.
Team Unity and Future Engagements
Despite the spotlight on the invitation controversy, members of both the men’s and women’s teams have emphasised mutual respect and camaraderie. The gold-winning hockey squads trained together in Milan and shared celebratory moments in the Olympic Village, with players highlighting unity between the groups regardless of separate post-Olympic plans. The women’s team said they remain “honored to be included” and are grateful for the recognition of their success, leaving open the possibility of other celebrations or acknowledgements in the future.
