UPDATE: Team USA star Jack Hughes has spoken out following backlash after the men’s hockey team accepted an invitation from Donald Trump to celebrate their 2-1 overtime victory against Canada at the Milan 2026 Olympics. The controversy erupted when the men’s team interacted with Trump in the locker room after their dramatic win, where Hughes scored the decisive goal.
In a lively celebration in Miami on Monday night, Hughes criticized the “negative” reactions to the team’s interaction with the former president, saying, “People are so negative out there and they are just trying to find a reason to put people down.”
The men’s team faced criticism when Trump joked about inviting the women’s team, which also won gold in Milan, suggesting he would be “impeached” if he did not include them. However, the women’s team later announced they would decline the invitation to attend celebrations in Washington D.C..
Hughes emphasized the strong bond between the men’s and women’s teams, stating, “We were in the cafeteria at 3:30 AM with them after winning gold. Everyone in that locker room knows how much we support them.”
On the invitation, Hughes expressed pride in representing the U.S., stating, “We’re excited. We’re so proud to represent the US and when you get the chance to go to the White House and meet the president, that’s so patriotic.”
The U.S. women’s hockey team issued a statement thanking Trump for the invitation but cited “previously scheduled academic and professional commitments” as the reason for their absence. “They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment,” the statement read.
As the controversy unfolds, the public awaits further clarification on whether the women’s team’s refusal to attend is tied to scheduling conflicts or political sentiments.
With both teams having triumphed in the finals against Canada— the women’s team winning with goals from Hilary Knight and Megan Keller— the spotlight remains on the implications of their decisions in the wake of this political discourse.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
