The U.S. women’s hockey team, fresh off a gold medal victory against Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, has declined President Donald Trump’s invitation to attend his State of the Union address, taking place at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday.
“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, per NBC News.
“Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate.
“They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.”
President Trump invited the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team to be his guests at Tuesday night’s State of the Union address following their dramatic 2-1 overtime victory over Canada in Sunday’s gold medal game at the Milan Cortina Games.
“We’re giving the State of the Union speech on Tuesday night,” Trump is heard telling Team USA on a postgame call facilitated by FBI director Kash Patel in the locker room.
“I could send a military plane or something, but if you would like to, it’s the coolest night.”
Some of the men’s team is heard saying, “We’re in.”
It is unclear if the men’s team will attend.
Trump also suggested that the men’s team could visit the White House on Wednesday.
“We’ll just have some fun, we have medals for you guys,” Trump said.
“I must tell you, we have to bring the women’s team, you do know that.”
If he didn’t invite the women, Trump joked, “I do believe I probably would be impeached, OK,” as the men’s team laughed.
Trump added that he needs to shake hands with goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who stopped 41 of Canada’s 42 shots in Sunday’s win.
The NHL resumes games Wednesday night after a 20-day break for the Winter Games, with golden goal-scorer Jack Hughes’ New Jersey Devils, Hellebuyck’s Winnipeg Jets and Team USA captain Auston Matthews’ Toronto Maple Leafs among those in action.
Hughes scored the game-winning goal in overtime, breaking a 46-year gold medal drought for the U.S. in men’s hockey.