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OAN Staff Sophia Flores
6:55 PM – Monday, February 23, 2026
President Donald Trump has invited the USA Men’s Hockey team to his State of the Union (SOTU) address this Tuesday — following their captivating gold medal victory at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Sunday.
Describing the team’s win on the ice as “unbelievable,” FBI Director Kash Patel joined the athletes in the locker room to celebrate their first gold medal since 1980.
While there, Patel even placed a speakerphone call to President Trump, who delivered a personal congratulatory message to the players on their historic achievement.
“I’ll tell you what. I just told my people two minutes ago, I didn’t know they’d be calling, I said we’re giving the State of the Union speech on Tuesday night,” Trump stated. “I can send a military plane or something, but if you would like to, it’s the coolest night, it’s the biggest speech …”
One player cut off the 47th president off and added, “We’re in.”
“We’ll get Kash, and we’ll get the military to get you guys over,” Trump continued. “You won’t have to worry about the weather or landing. We don’t care if it’s snowing or if it’s the worst blizzard – we’ll be sailing through like you did on the ice.”
Realizing both the U.S. men’s and U.S. women’s teams had won gold in the same Games, President Trump also confirmed over the phone that he would recognize both teams with more medals during a ceremony at the White House.
Trump’s locker room call came just one day after the U.S. women’s hockey team defeated Team Canada in a 2–1 in overtime to win the gold.
“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 [if I didn’t],” Trump said jokingly.
Nonetheless, the U.S. women’s team respectfully declined, citing “previously scheduled academic and professional commitments.”
“We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal–winning U.S. Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement,” a USA Hockey spokesperson said in a statement. “Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate.”
“They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment,” the spokesperson added.
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