Donald Trump is facing criticism following remarks about the U.S. women’s hockey team during a celebratory call with the men’s Olympic champions. The comments, made as he congratulated the gold medal winners, have prompted reaction and renewed attention around the exchange.
Donald Trump called out over women’s hockey team comment
According to Rolling Stone, President Donald Trump drew criticism after remarks made during a locker room phone call with the U.S. men’s hockey team following their gold medal win at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
During the call, facilitated by FBI Director Kash Patel, Trump said, “We’ll do the White House. We’ll just have some fun, we have medals for you guys. And we have to — I must tell you — we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that.” He added, “I do believe I probably would be impeached [if I didn’t].”
The men’s team won its first Olympic gold since the 1980 Miracle on Ice. Trump offered military aircraft to transport the team from Miami to Washington, D.C., for his State of the Union address. Video showed Kash Patel holding his phone in the locker room as Trump addressed the players.
Neither the White House nor USA Hockey immediately responded to requests for comment. The women’s team later declined an invitation to attend the State of the Union. A USA Hockey spokesperson said, “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,” citing timing and previously scheduled commitments.
The United States won 12 gold medals, six by women and two by mixed teams. The women’s hockey final set a viewership record.
Patel addressed his presence in the locker room on X, writing, “For the very concerned media — yes, I love America and was extremely humbled when my friends, the newly minted Gold Medal winners on Team USA, invited me into the locker room to celebrate this historic moment with the boys.”
