U.S. men's hockey team celebrates with Trump. The women aren't. Why? - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
by Chuck SchilkenFebruary 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The U.S. men's hockey team accepted an invitation from President Trump to visit the White House and attend his State of the Union address after winning Olympic gold, while the women's team declined due to prior commitments. This decision highlights a notable contrast in how each team engaged with political events following their achievements.
Both teams won gold at the Milan-Cortina Games, with the men’s victory marking a historic moment as it was their first gold since 1980. The men’s team celebrated by visiting Trump, who praised them during a locker-room call and invited them to attend his speech. In contrast, the women's team cited academic and professional obligations as reasons for declining the White House invitation.
The men’s team attended a private meeting with Trump at the White House before the State of the Union. Several players were present, including key figures like Matthew Tkachuk, while others, such as Jake Guentzel, did not make the trip. Their visit and subsequent planned attendance at the political event underscored their alignment with high-profile celebrations.
The women’s team, however, chose a different path, opting out of the White House event
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Originally published on Los Angeles Times on 2/24/2026