{"id":17011,"date":"2026-02-26T00:31:20","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T00:31:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/used82.com\/?p=17011"},"modified":"2026-02-26T00:31:20","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T00:31:20","slug":"here-are-the-five-us-mens-hockey-stars-who-rejected-trumps-white-house-invitation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/used82.com\/?p=17011","title":{"rendered":"Here are the five US men\u2019s hockey stars who rejected Trump\u2019s White House invitation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Just days after clinching a dramatic Olympic gold medal, several members of the U.S. men\u2019s hockey team \u2013 including four players from Minnesota \u2013 chose not to meet President Donald Trump, declining his invitation to visit the White House.<\/strong><\/p>\n

On Feb. 23, the United States defeated Canada 2-1 in a tightly contested Olympic final, securing gold in one of the most anticipated matchups of the Winter Games. The rivalry between the two nations, long considered hockey powerhouses, added extra intensity to the win, which was celebrated across the country.<\/p>\n

Footage from the locker room shortly after the\u00a0victory<\/a>\u00a0quickly spread online. In the video, President Trump, 79, called the team to congratulate them and extended a high-profile invitation.<\/p>\n

\u201cI could send a military plane or something, if you would like to \u2013 it\u2019s the coolest night, it\u2019s the biggest speech,\u201d\u00a0Trump<\/a>\u00a0reportedly said in the call.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m gonna shake hands with everybody, but I gotta shake hands with that goalie,\u201d Trump told the team referencing Connor Hellebuyck, the Winnipeg Jets goalie who stonewalled Canada in the final.<\/p>\n

\u2018Have to bring the women\u2019s team\u2019<\/h2>\n

The video, which amassed millions of views on social media, initially captured the excitement of the moment. But the tone shifted when the president added: \u201cI must tell you, we\u2019re going to have to bring the women\u2019s team, you do know that\u2026I do believe I probably would be impeached.\u201d<\/p>\n

The remark prompted laughter in the room, but online reaction was swift, with critics describing the comment as misogynistic and sexist. Attention also turned to members of the men\u2019s team, some of whom were criticized for not pushing back against the statement.<\/p>\n

Women party with Flavor Flav instead<\/h2>\n

The controversy deepened when the US women\u2019s\u00a0hockey<\/a>\u00a0team \u2013 which also won Olympic gold this year and has medaled at every Games since the sport was introduced \u2013 responded to the invitation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal\u2013winning U.S. Women\u2019s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement,\u201d a team spokesperson said, per\u00a0NBC<\/a>. \u201cDue to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate.\u201d<\/p>\n

But the team instead accepted an invitation to celebrate with rapper Flavor Flav.<\/p>\n