The United States women’s hockey team won a gold medal at the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics in absolutely thrilling fashion, with a game-tying goal and a beautiful overtime winner. Team USA superstar and captain Hilary Knight wishes those moments could be the focus of the lasting discourse rather than a “distasteful joke” from Donald Trump.
In the aftermath of Sunday’s men’s hockey gold medal game, where the United States men also defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime to win the gold, Trump spoke to the men’s team over the phone in the locker room, where he invited them to attend the State of the Union address on Tuesday night. Trump went on to joke that he would “have to” invite the women’s team, too.
“I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that,” Trump told the men’s team in the locker room. “I do believe I probably would be impeached.”
Unfortunately, those few words from Trump have since overshadowed what Team USA accomplished on the ice.
Instead of discussing Knight’s clutch game-tying goal after the U.S. had pulled its goalie or the incredible move from Megan Keller to set herself up for the game-winning goal, the lasting discourse surrounding the game and the team has been Trump’s joke.
A GOLDEN GOAL FOR GOLD! pic.twitter.com/oLDfElGnI9
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 19, 2026
Knight wishes that didn’t have to be the case.
During an appearance on ESPN’s SportsCenter on Wednesday, Knight opened up a bit about Trump’s comments, calling the joke “distasteful” as she lamented the fact that it seems to be overshadowing what the team actually accomplished on the ice.
“I thought it was sort of a distasteful joke, and unfortunately that is overshadowing a lot of the success, the success of just women at the Olympics carrying for Team USA and having amazing gold medal feats,” Knight said.
“We’re just focusing on celebrating the women in our room, the extraordinary efforts, and continue to celebrate three gold medals in program history as well as the double gold for both men’s and women’s at the same time. And really not detract from that with a distasteful joke.”
Knight also addressed the fact that several players on the men’s team appeared to laugh at Trump’s joke, though it’s also worth noting that some players could be heard expressing their support, with one player yelling “2-for-2!” to celebrate both victories, and another saying “absolutely” when Trump said the women’s team would be invited, too.
Knight said that she thinks the men’s team was in “a tough spot” and that the response has been overblown, especially given the relationship the two teams share.
“I think there’s a genuine level of support there and respect,” she said. “I think that’s being overshadowed by a quick lapse. I think the guys were in a tough spot, so I think it’s a shame this storyline and narrative has kind of blown up and overshadowing that connection and genuine interest in one another and cheering each other on.”
While the women’s team did indeed receive an invitation to the White House alongside the men, the team ultimately declined due to scheduling conflicts, with a Team USA spokesperson noting that the team was “honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.”
“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. “Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate.”
Knight added that the whole situation was “really good learning point, to really focus on how we talk about women, not only in sport but in industry. Women aren’t less than, and their achievements shouldn’t be overshadowed by anything else other than how great they are.”
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