Hilary Knight, captain of the U.S. women’s hockey team, publicly addressed a contentious remark made by former President Donald Trump regarding the women’s team after their gold medal win at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games. The incident occurred following the U.S. women’s dramatic overtime victory against Canada, combined with the men’s team securing their first Olympic hockey gold in 46 years. Knight’s response brought attention to the larger issues of respect and recognition in women’s hockey.
The Incident and Trump’s State of the Union Reference
The controversy began when Trump congratulated the U.S. men’s hockey team in a phone call and joked that he would need to invite the women’s team to his upcoming State of the Union address or face impeachment. During the call, he said,
“I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that,”
sparking laughter from the men’s players in the locker room, which was recorded and widely shared.
This moment of levity was met with backlash on social media for both the content of the joke and the men’s team’s reaction to it. The women’s team, while part of the same national sports family, expressed disappointment in how the situation was handled publicly.
Knight’s Critique of the Incident and Gender Representation in Hockey
Speaking at the Seattle Space Needle alongside teammates Alex Carpenter, Hannah Bilka, and Cayla Barnes before rejoining the Seattle Torrent in the Professional Women’s Hockey League, Knight described the joke as
“distasteful and unfortunate,”
highlighting the broader issue of how women athletes are portrayed.
“I think just the way women are represented, it’s a great teaching point and really shines light on how women should be championed for their amazing feats,”
Knight said. She emphasized that while she does not feel responsible for explaining others’ behavior, it is crucial to shift the focus back to the women’s achievements.
Celebrating a Historic Dual Victory by Both U.S. Teams
Knight, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and the leading American scorer in Olympic hockey history, stressed that the men’s and women’s teams accomplished something unprecedented by winning gold at the same Games. She noted,
“The men’s and the women’s team did it together,”
and called the achievement “super special.”
She also expressed frustration that the video from the locker room overshadowed the true partnership and mutual respect between the two teams, saying,
“these women are amazing. And whatever’s going on should never outshine or minimize their work and our success on the world stage.”
Maintaining Respect and Unity Amid Controversy
Knight asserted that the men’s team showed support and respect for their female counterparts despite the negative attention, acknowledging,
“there’s a genuine level of support there and respect,”
which was marred by a brief lapse in judgment.
Reflecting on the situation, she added,
“I think the guys were in a tough spot, so I think it’s a shame this storyline and narrative has kind of blown up and overshadowing that connection and genuine interest in one another and cheering each other on.”
Voices from Teammates on the Incident and the Win
Forward Kelly Pannek echoed the general sentiment when speaking to reporters, calling the controversial video simply something to accept but underscoring the special atmosphere between the two teams after their historic gold medal wins. She emphasized mutual respect between the men’s and women’s squads.
Hayley Scamurra, during a podcast episode of The Hockey Lifers, highlighted the magnitude of the dual victories, stating,
“we got double gold, men’s and women’s side, like that is so incredible.”
She wished to focus celebrations on this feat rather than allow controversy to overshadow it.
Men’s Team Addresses the Reaction and Future Engagements
Goaltender Jeremy Swayman, back in Boston with the Bruins, acknowledged the men’s team could have responded differently to Trump’s remark. He stressed the significance of sharing the gold medal success with the women’s team, saying,
“To share that gold medal with them is something that we’re forever grateful for.”
Swayman described their joint victory as a lasting bond and a source of pride for the nation.
Jack Hughes, who scored the overtime winning goal for the U.S. team, explained the context of the phone call moments:
“You’re in the moment and the president calls. We’re blaring the music. It is what it is.”
He further emphasized the deep respect shared between the men’s and women’s teams, adding,
“We have so much respect for the women’s team and they have so much respect for us. We are all just proud Americans.”
State of the Union Attendance and Invitations
The men’s hockey team attended President Trump’s State of the Union address, where goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. However, several players, including Brock Nelson, Jackson LaCombe, Jake Oettinger, Jake Guentzel, and Kyle Connor, chose not to attend.
The women’s team received an invitation following Trump’s remarks but declined. While Trump reiterated during his address that he planned to host the women’s team at the White House, no date has been confirmed, with the earliest likely opportunity after the Professional Women’s Hockey League season ends in late spring.
The Women’s Team’s Dominance and Lasting Legacy
The U.S. women’s team was a dominant force at the Milan Cortina Games, scoring an overwhelming 33 goals against only 2 allowed on their way to the gold medal. Their efforts contributed significantly to the nation’s overall tally of 12 gold medals.
Reflecting on the team’s performance, Knight declared,
“This was the best American women’s hockey team, the best American team we’ve ever put together on the world stage when the lights have been the brightest ever.”
She urged for the team’s legacy and accomplishments to be celebrated and remembered long after the Games concluded.
