BREAKING: Team USA star Jack Hughes speaks out against negative backlash after the U.S. Women’s Hockey Team rejected an invitation from Donald Trump to celebrate their Olympic victory. This controversy follows the men’s team’s acceptance of Trump’s invitation after their thrilling 2–1 overtime win against Canada at the Milan 2026 Olympics on Sunday.
The men’s team, which includes Hughes, faced criticism for their locker room conversation with Trump, where he humorously suggested he would be “impeached” if he didn’t invite the women’s team as well. This comment sparked laughter among players, but the women’s team later announced they would decline the invitation to the White House celebrations in Washington, D.C.
Speaking during a jubilant celebration in Miami on Monday night, Hughes defended the men’s team, stating, “Everyone is giving us backlash for all the social media stuff today. People are so negative out there… our relationship with them is so tight. After we won the gold medal, we were in the cafeteria at 3:30 AM with them.”
On the invitation from Trump, Hughes added, “We’re so proud to represent the US… we’re super excited to go to the White House tomorrow and be a part of that.”
Both the U.S. men’s and women’s teams triumphed over Canada with the same score of 2–1 in their respective finals. The women’s team clinched gold after Hilary Knight forced overtime with a late equalizer and Megan Keller scored the decisive goal.
In a statement released after declining the invitation, the women’s team expressed gratitude but cited prior academic and professional commitments. “We are sincerely grateful for the invitation… the athletes are unable to participate,” the spokesperson stated, emphasizing the honor of being recognized for their achievements.
The decision has left many wondering if the women’s team’s absence is due to scheduling conflicts or a reaction to Trump’s comments. As this story develops, fans and commentators alike are eager to see how the situation unfolds and what it means for the relationship between the teams.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story and its implications for Team USA.
