The U.S. women’s ice hockey team, fresh off their gold medal victory at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, has turned down an invitation from President Donald Trump.
Reuters reported on Tuesday that the team declined an invitation to attend the President’s State of the Union address in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, citing personal commitments.
USA Hockey released a statement saying that due to academic and professional obligations immediately following the Olympics, the women’s ice hockey team is unable to attend the State of the Union address. They’re grateful for the recognition of the gold medal achievement. The players consider it an honor to have been invited.
The U.S. women’s ice hockey team clinched gold on February 20, edging out Canada 2-1 in a nail-biting overtime final. This marks their first gold medal since the 2018 PyeongChang Games.
President Trump also extended invitations to the U.S. men’s ice hockey team, who reclaimed the top spot after a 46-year drought.
On February 22, the U.S. men’s ice hockey team defeated Canada 2-1 in the final, thanks to Jack Hughes’ clutch overtime goal. This victory secured their first gold medal since the 1980 Miracle on Ice in Lake Placid.
Following the tournament, the U.S. men’s ice hockey team returned home on a charter flight. However, their schedule remains packed with a National Hockey League (NHL) game slated for Friday.
Reuters reports that the U.S. men’s ice hockey team’s attendance at the State of the Union address is still up in the air.