Team USA hockey gold medalist Jack Hughes has said he and his teammates are “super excited” to meet with President Trump after they were invited to the State of the Union following their success against arch-rivals Canada.
“We’re so proud to represent the US and when you get the chance to go to the White House and meet the president, we’re proud to be Americans and that’s so patriotic,” Hughes, who scored the winning goal in Sunday’s 2-1 victory, told the Daily Mail Monday outside the squad’s Miami party.
“No matter what your views are, we’re super excited to go to the White House tomorrow and be a part of that.”
The men’s team will be heading to Washington DC to meet with Trump, but the team USA women’s hockey team has declined the invite to the State of the Union.
Hughes shrugged off the backlash the men’s team received by some for accepting the White House invitation.
“Everyone is giving us backlash for all the social media stuff today,” Hughes added.
“People are so negative out there and they are just trying to find a reason to put people down and make something out of almost nothing.”
Hughes dismissed any suggestion there was tension between the men’s and women’s teams in light of the different responses to Trump’s invitation.
“They’ve got busy schedules, too. Our relationship with them, over the course of being in the Athletes’ Village, I think we are so tight with their group,” he said.
The women’s team said it wouldn’t take up Trump’s offer due to “previously-scheduled” commitments.
“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 told NBC News.
“Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate.”
The spokesperson said the team was “honored” to receive the invite.
Gavin Newsom’s wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, tried to make a joke at Trump’s expense after the women’s hockey team turned down the invite.
Trump jokingly told the men’s team he would be impeached if he didn’t extend the invite to the women’s squad.
“Clearly they prefer arenas where women are actually respected! As they should” Siebel Newsom wrote.
Trump congratulated the men’s team in a postgame call facilitated by FBI Director Kash Patel.
“We’re giving the State of the Union speech on Tuesday night,” he said.
“I could send a military plane or something, but if you would like to, it’s the coolest night.”
Some of the men were heard saying “We’re in,” responding to Trump’s invite. It’s not clear if the men’s team will attend the State of the Union address.
Team USA’s men’s hockey team celebrated their win by holding late teammate Johnny Gaudreau’s jersey aloft. Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, were killed by an alleged drunk driver in August 2024.
