The gold medal-winning US women’s hockey team has rejected Donald Trump’s invitation to his State of the Union address following his controversial comments about inviting them to the nation’s capital along with the men’s team.
A spokesperson for USA Hockey, which oversees both teams, told NBC News that the White House invited the American women to attend the president’s speech, but cited “timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments” as reasons why the players declined the offer.
“We are sincerely grateful for the invitation to our gold medal-winning U.S. women’s hockey team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement… They were honored to be included and are grateful for the recognition,” the spokesperson said.
The news comes after the U.S. men’s team took home gold by beating rival Canada 2-1 in overtime at the Winter Olympics, the exact same result the U.S. women achieved in their final just days earlier.
The men’s victory led to a raucous locker room celebration, with FBI Director Kash Patel downing a bottle of beer and holding a phone as Trump dialed in to congratulate the winning team. Trump offered to fly them to DC on Tuesday, with a visit to the White House the next day.
But the president’s celebratory message quickly veered toward a demeaning joke aimed at the U.S. women’s team.
“And we’re going to have to – I got to tell you – we’re going to have to bring the women’s team,” said Trump, whose comment caused the American men to burst into laughter. “[If I don’t] If I do that, I think I’ll probably get impeached, okay?”
Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images
Trump’s comments and the men’s team’s subsequent response sparked backlash, particularly among fans of the Professional Women’s Hockey League who ripped the president’s statement.shameful‘joke and the’spinelessresponse to it.
The U.S. women’s latest podium victory, fueled by a game-winning goal from Team USA’s Megan Keller, is their first on Olympic ice since the team took gold at the 2018 PyeongChang Games.
Trump, who was president at the time, congratulated the team on social media and the team was later honored as part of one wider ceremony celebrating Olympic and Paralympic athletes at the White House.
As GOP leadership in Congress clambers To get the American men into Tuesday’s SOTU speech, it is unclear whether members of either Team USA team will attend Trump’s proposed visit to the White House on Wednesday.
The PWHL, like the NHL, will resume play this week after an extended break due to the Milan Cortina Games.
HuffPost has reached out to the White House and USA Hockey for comment.
