In a recent interview, Hilary Knight, captain of the U.S. women’s ice hockey team, voiced her discontent regarding comments made by former President Donald Trump. His remarks, which followed the gold medal achievements of both the men’s and women’s teams at the 2026 Winter Olympics, have been described by Knight as “overshadowing” the remarkable success of female athletes. As the men’s team celebrated their victory against Canada, Trump made a joking reference to inviting the women’s team to the White House, which sparked significant backlash.
Knight Responds to Controversial Remarks
Following the men’s team’s gold medal win, Trump called the players to congratulate them and quipped, “I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team. You do know that. I do believe I probably would be impeached.” This comment, which drew laughter from some of the players, quickly went viral, prompting Knight to address the implications during a SportsCenter interview.
Knight, a veteran of the Olympic stage with five medals to her name, expressed her disappointment with the joke. “I thought it was sort of a distasteful joke, and unfortunately, that is overshadowing a lot of the success, the success of just women at the Olympics carrying for Team USA and having amazing gold medal feats,” she stated.
She further emphasised the need to focus on the achievements of the women’s team, celebrating their history of three gold medals and their concurrent success alongside the men’s team. Knight’s comments were a call to shift the narrative back to the athletes’ accomplishments rather than political banter.
Men’s Team Faces Backlash
The interaction between Trump and the men’s team has not gone unnoticed, leading to a wave of criticism. Jack Hughes, who scored the decisive goal against Canada, addressed the situation on *Good Morning America*. “People are so negative about things,” he remarked, assuring that the men’s team holds a deep respect for their female counterparts. “I think everyone in that locker room knows how much we support … how proud we are of them [the women’s team].”
On a separate occasion, Hughes expressed frustration over the politicisation of sports, stating, “Everything is so political. We’re athletes; we’re so proud to represent the U.S., and when you get the chance to go to the White House and meet the president… That’s so patriotic.”
Acknowledging Team Spirit
The men’s team attended Trump’s State of the Union address, where they received a warm reception from both sides of the aisle, as they waved their medals to an applauding crowd. Knight’s teammate, Kelly Pannek, who also holds two Olympic golds, commented on the phone call, saying, “It’s not surprising, to be frank. I don’t know why we’d expect differently.”
Despite the controversy, Pannek highlighted the mutual respect shared between the teams during the Olympics, noting the importance of celebrating each other’s victories. “It really was such a special feeling being there, even being able to spend time with them after their win and the respect that they were showing us,” she added.
Women’s Team Declines White House Invitation
In light of the recent events and the timing, the U.S. women’s team opted to decline Trump’s invitation to the White House, citing “previously scheduled academic and professional commitments.” This decision underscores the team’s commitment to focusing on their achievements rather than engaging in a political spectacle.
Why it Matters
The discourse surrounding the remarks made by Trump reveals a deeper issue within the realm of sports and gender equality. Knight’s call to celebrate the achievements of female athletes serves as a reminder that their contributions should not be overshadowed by political commentary. By prioritising recognition for both teams, the conversation can shift towards empowering athletes and promoting a culture of respect and support. The outcome of this situation could play a pivotal role in how women’s sports are perceived and valued, potentially inspiring future generations to break barriers in athletics.
