Hilary Knight, the captain of the United States Olympic women’s hockey team, criticized President Trump’s recent invitation to the women’s team, labeling it “a distasteful joke” during her appearance on ESPN’s SportsCenter. The controversy arose after Trump invited the men’s team to the White House, celebrating their 2-1 overtime win against Canada, while also suggesting that excluding the women’s team from such a celebration could lead to his impeachment—a remark that elicited laughter from men’s team members.
After a thrilling gold-medal match in which Knight scored a crucial last-minute goal to force overtime, the women’s team achieved their third Olympic gold medal at the Milan Cortina Winter Games. However, they opted to decline an invitation to attend Trump’s State of the Union address due to previous commitments.
In her interview, Knight expressed concern that the fallout from Trump’s comments was overshadowing the women’s achievements at the Olympics. She emphasized that the focus should be on the tremendous success and unity of both teams, rather than the political distractions arising from the invitation.
The incident drew widespread attention and backlash on social media, with prominent figures like Jeremy Swayman, goalie for the men’s team, acknowledging the need for a better reaction to the situation. In his remarks, Swayman emphasized his genuine respect for the women’s team and the historical significance of both teams’ victories.
Despite the friction, Knight highlighted her pride in the men’s team’s accomplishments, reinforcing the importance of celebrating American hockey collectively. Meanwhile, rapper Flavor Flav, who played a spirited role during the Olympics, extended an invitation to the women’s team for a celebration in Las Vegas, although Knight noted that scheduling conflicts would delay such festivities.
During the State of the Union, Trump praised the men’s team, stating, “Our country is winning again,” while assuring that the women’s team would soon receive an invitation to visit the White House. The men’s team, fresh from their victory, were lauded by Trump, although they faced scrutiny for their responses concerning the women’s invitation.
Jack Hughes, a key player for the men’s team, reflected on the recent events, underscoring the spectrum of opinions among the American public while reiterating the importance of celebrating their gold-medal achievement together with the women’s team. He expressed his respect for the women’s team and reiterated that their primary focus was on celebrating their victory in the spirit of sportsmanship.
Knight’s comments suggest a call for greater consideration of women’s achievements in sports. Her scoring record, which positions her as a leader in U.S. women’s hockey history, highlights the ongoing evolution and recognition of female athletes. She is set to continue her journey with the PWHL’s Seattle Torrent, further contributing to the growth of women’s hockey in the professional arena.