The United States women’s national ice hockey team might visit the White House to receive the traditional honor following their Olympic gold medal win, even though that moment once seemed uncertain. Within days after arriving home in Milan, the team even refused the offer at first, which created some speculation and online discussion. Now, after Donald Trump publicly renewed the invitation, it’s clear that the celebration still stands.

On February 25, during his State of the Union address, Trump said the women’s team would “soon” visit the White House to celebrate their victory. “They beat a fantastic Canadian team in overtime as everybody saw, as did the American women who will soon be coming to the White House,” Trump said, as the U.S. men’s hockey team was being recognized inside the House chamber. At this time, it remains unclear whether the women’s team has formally accepted the invitation.

USA Hockey later clarified that players are already back with their professional and collegiate clubs, including several competing in the PWHL and NCAA, and that any White House visit would depend on their in-season schedules once competition concludes.

Interestingly, this comment marked a tonal reset after a week that placed the women’s champions at the center of a broader political conversation. Shortly after both teams captured gold in Milan Cortina, Trump held a congratulatory phone call with the men’s team following their overtime win against Canada. That victory was the U.S. men’s first Olympic gold medal in 46 years, adding historical weight to the moment and intensifying the postgame spotlight.

During that call, which quickly spread across social media, he joked that he would “have” to invite the women’s team as well or he would “probably be impeached.” And this comment did not sit well with many.  Some critics felt the invitation was an obligation rather than a celebration. Others dismissed it as light humor in a moment meant to congratulate American athletes.

But the women had already delivered their own dramatic finish days earlier. Their overtime win over Canada secured the program’s third Olympic gold medal since women’s hockey was introduced in 1998, reinforcing their sustained dominance on the international stage. Upon being invited to attend the State of the Union, the women’s team declined, citing “previously scheduled academic and professional commitments” following the Olympics.

In a statement shared with NBC News, USA Hockey said the athletes were grateful for the recognition but unable to attend due to timing. “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.”

Meanwhile, roughly 20 members of the men’s team traveled from post-Olympic celebrations in Milan and Miami to Washington, D.C., attending both an Oval Office meeting and the State of the Union. During the address, Trump announced that goaltender Connor Hellebuyck would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, one of the nation’s highest civilian honors. The decision amplified public debate, especially as discussion about recognition and optics unfolded in parallel with the women’s scheduling absence.

As the NHL season resumed, several men’s players were asked directly about the viral locker-room clip and the broader reaction. Goalie Jeremy Swayman admitted, “We should have reacted differently,” adding that sharing gold with the women’s team was something the group would always be grateful for. Team captain Auston Matthews called the situation “unfortunate” and emphasized, “We have nothing but love and respect for the women’s team.” Defenseman Charlie McAvoy said he was “certainly sorry for how we responded in that moment,” noting that the close living quarters in the Olympic Village strengthened bonds between both squads.

Other players framed the episode as a byproduct of the whirlwind nature of the win. Dylan Larkin described a “little bit of regret” while stressing that the women knew they had the men’s full support. Tage Thompson and Vincent Trocheck both pushed back on the politicization of the moment, saying the team’s focus was on representing the country and celebrating a long-awaited championship.

Still, whether the initial remark was serious or lighthearted does not change the fact that the United States women’s national ice hockey team won gold.  Amid the debate, Hughes’ mother, Ellen Hughes, also weighed in on this controversy.

Hughes family highlights Team Unity beyond Donald Trump’s politics

Hughes’ mother, Ellen Hughes, who works as a player development consultant with Team USA women’s ice hockey, said she was not bothered by President Donald Trump’s remark during the phone call. “These players, both the men and women, can bring so much unity to a group and to a country,” she said. “People that cheered on that don’t watch hockey, people that have politics on one side or on the other side, and that’s all both the men’s team and the women’s team care about.”

Ellen described the shared experience in Milan as something far removed from the noise online. The men and women trained in close quarters, shared dorms and hallways, and supported one another throughout the tournament.

“If you could see what we see from the inside, and the men and women sharing dorm rooms and halls and flex floors and the camaraderie and the way the women cheered on the men and the way the men cheered on the women, that’s what it’s all about,” she continued.

Women’s captain Hilary Knight, appearing on SportsCenter, called the impeachment quip a “distasteful joke,” adding that it risked overshadowing “three gold medals in program history” and the broader success of women at the Games. Teammate Kelly Pannek echoed that sentiment, noting that inside the Olympic Village, the support between teams felt genuine despite the online narrative.

While some critics pointed to the men’s team laughing during Donald Trump’s joke on the call, Quinn Hughes offered his own perspective. Quinn, the brother of Jack Hughes and the overtime hero in the quarterfinal win over Sweden, called the time spent alongside the women’s team “amazing.” He and other men’s players were in attendance when the women secured gold.

“Me and Jack were there, we watched them win the gold medal,” Quinn said. “They came to our game and were able to watch us. So just the support back and forth, just to get to know them a little better was special, too.”

With all the headlines, debates, and all the political talk, one thing is evident: the United States women’s national ice hockey team was very successful on the ice. Their efforts and cooperation have paid off in the end, and regardless of the time of ceremonies or speeches, their triumph will be remembered and praised in the years to come.