Hilary Knight, the captain of the United States Olympic women’s hockey team, referred to President Trump’s invitation to the White House as “a distasteful joke” during her appearance on ESPN’s SportsCenter. This response came in the wake of Trump’s welcoming message to the men’s hockey team after their dramatic 2-1 gold medal victory over Canada.
Trump’s comments were conveyed over a speakerphone held by FBI Director Kash Patel during the men’s team celebration, where he suggested that the women’s team must also be invited or he would face impeachment. This remark sparked laughter among the players in the locker room, igniting controversy and backlash as the video circulated online.
The women’s team had previously achieved their own triumph by earning their third Olympic gold medal on Thursday, overcoming Canada with a thrilling overtime victory, with Knight scoring the tying goal. However, the women declined an invitation to attend Trump’s State of the Union address due to prior commitments.
In her interview, Knight expressed concern that the debate surrounding the invitation is overshadowing the accomplishments of women athletes who have significantly contributed to Team USA’s overall success. She acknowledged that the men’s locker room laughter reflected a “quick lapse” in judgment and emphasized the need for a greater appreciation of each team’s achievements without politicizing the celebrations.
Rapper Flavor Flav, who previously acted as a motivator for Team USA in Italy, also reached out via social media inviting the women’s team to Las Vegas for a proper celebration of their gold medal winner. Knight hopes to celebrate with him, yet the players’ commitments in the professional women’s hockey league and college teams have made organizing an immediate event challenging.
During Trump’s State of the Union address, he praised the men’s team for their accomplishments, stating, “Our country is winning again,” and assured that the women’s team would also have a chance to visit Washington, although no official plans have been confirmed yet.
Meanwhile, Jack Hughes, who scored the game-winning goal for the men’s team, returned to play for the New Jersey Devils and reflected on the mixed reactions the team’s celebration has stirred. He acknowledged the wide range of opinions on these events but highlighted the importance of celebrating their achievements together.
Knight concluded the discussion around the controversy by emphasizing it as a lesson in valuing women’s contributions in sports, asserting that women’s achievements should be recognized independently of any surrounding circumstances. As she prepares to return to the ice with the PWHL’s Seattle Torrent, Knight continues to lead the way in transforming perceptions of women in athletics.