The fallout from the 2026 Winter Olympics didn’t stop at the rink for Team USA’s hockey squads. Following back-to-back gold-medal wins against Canada in Milan, a controversy erupted after former President Donald Trump made remarks about the women’s team during a congratulatory call to the men’s team. While many criticized Trump’s comments as sexist, the male players and their families have defended their response, emphasizing camaraderie, national pride, and unity among the athletes.
The Controversy
The incident unfolded shortly after the U.S. women’s hockey team secured a 2-1 victory over Canada in the Olympic finals. Following their win, Trump invited the female squad to attend his upcoming State of the Union address. However, a spokesperson for the women’s team told NBC News that they declined the invitation due to “timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments.” The team expressed gratitude for the recognition, stating:
“They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgement.”
A few days prior, the men’s team had claimed a nearly identical victory against Canada. Trump personally called the men to congratulate them, creating the setup for a now-viral video of his remarks about the women’s team.
In the footage, Trump, 79, spoke to the male athletes in the locker room:
“We’re giving the State of the Union speech on Tuesday night. I could send a military plane or something, if you would like it. It’s the coolest night. It’s the biggest speech.”
The men responded with cheers and communal shouts of “We’re in!” before Trump brought up their female counterparts:
“And we have to – I must tell you – we’re going to have to bring the women’s team. [If I don’t] do that, I do believe I probably would be impeached, OK?”
Trump’s joke, implying the women’s presence was secondary, was met with laughter from the men, quickly attracting criticism online. Commenters called it “misogynistic” and “disgusting,” highlighting that the women had medaled in every Olympic appearance and had just won their third gold, while the men had not won gold since 1980.
Jack Hughes Speaks Out
One of the athletes at the center of the video, Jack Hughes, sought to clarify the context. Hughes, 24, told the Daily Mail that the laughter was not meant to demean the women but reflected affection and camaraderie between the men’s and women’s teams.
“Our relationship with them [the women’s team], over the course of being in the Athletes’ Village, I think we are so tight with their group. After we won the gold medal, we were in the cafeteria at 3:30 am with them, and we go from there, pack our bags, and we’re on the bus.”
Hughes emphasized that both teams support and celebrate each other’s achievements. He also addressed the criticism his team received for laughing at Trump’s remarks:
“People are so negative out there, and they are just trying to find a reason to put people down and make something out of almost nothing. Everyone in that locker room knows how much we support them, how proud we are of them, and we know the same way we feel about them, they feel about us.”
Hughes confirmed that despite the controversy, he and his teammates were looking forward to visiting the White House.
“No matter what your views are, we’re super excited to go to the White House tomorrow and be a part of that. We’re athletes. We’re so proud to represent the U.S., and when you get the chance to meet the President, we’re proud to be Americans, and that’s so patriotic.”
Hughes’ Mother Weighs In
Adding another layer to the discussion, Hughes’ mother, Ellen Hughes, spoke publicly to defend both her son and the men’s team. Oddly, while she works with the women’s hockey program, Ellen sided with Trump’s perspective and praised the unity between the teams.
“At the end of the day, it’s just about the country,” she told TODAY.
Ellen Hughes described the teams’ camaraderie, asserting that fans often don’t see the full extent of interaction between male and female athletes.
“These players, both the men and women, can bring so much unity to a group and to a country. People that cheered on that don’t watch hockey, people that have politics on one side or the other side, and that’s all both the men’s team and the women’s team care about.”
She also explained her son’s comments about team synergy, pointing out that the athletes share living spaces, dorm rooms, and cafeteria time, cheering each other on.
“If you could see what we see from the inside… the camaraderie and the way the women cheered on the men and the way the men cheered on the women – that’s what it’s all about. And the other things they cannot control. They care about humanity. They care about unity, and they care about the country.”
Public Reaction
The video quickly spread on social media, with thousands of viewers weighing in. Critics argued the men’s laughter normalized sexist humor and diminished the women’s accomplishments, which included a historic 2-1 overtime victory against Canada. Supporters, including Hughes and his family, countered that the laughter was misinterpreted and that the men’s team has nothing but respect for their female counterparts.
The debate highlights broader conversations about gender equity in sports, media portrayal of athletes, and the impact of political figures making public comments about female athletes. Some commentators pointed out the irony that the men had not won gold in over four decades, while the women’s team had consistently performed at an elite level.
Broader Implications for Athletes
For many athletes, the episode illustrates the challenges of navigating political commentary while focusing on performance. Olympic athletes must maintain professionalism, manage public perception, and foster positive team dynamics, all under the scrutiny of fans, media, and social platforms.
Hughes’ mother, Ellen, emphasized the role of sports in unifying people:
“These players care about unity and the country. That’s why they compete, why they cheer each other on, and why they represent the U.S. with pride.”
Her comments underline a perspective that transcends the immediate controversy: sports as a vehicle for national pride and collaboration across gender lines.
Conclusion
The response of the U.S. men’s hockey team to Trump’s controversial joke about the women’s squad has ignited a debate over sexism, athlete behavior, and media interpretation. While critics see the laughter as problematic, the players and their families insist it reflects mutual respect, team unity, and national pride rather than derision.
Jack Hughes and his teammates maintain that their support for the women’s team is genuine and ongoing, pointing to shared victories, celebrations, and experiences in the Olympic Village. With both teams having recently captured gold against Canada, the focus, they argue, should remain on athletic achievement and national representation.
As discussions about gender equity in sports continue, this incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance athletes must strike between public perception and personal camaraderie. Hughes and his mother’s statements emphasize the potential for sports to foster unity, respect, and shared pride across male and female teams, even in the face of political controversy.
Emily Johnson is a critically acclaimed essayist and novelist known for her thought-provoking works centered on feminism, women’s rights, and modern relationships. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Emily grew up with a deep love of books, often spending her afternoons at her local library. She went on to study literature and gender studies at UCLA, where she became deeply involved in activism and began publishing essays in campus journals. Her debut essay collection, Voices Unbound, struck a chord with readers nationwide for its fearless exploration of gender dynamics, identity, and the challenges faced by women in contemporary society. Emily later transitioned into fiction, writing novels that balance compelling storytelling with social commentary. Her protagonists are often strong, multidimensional women navigating love, ambition, and the struggles of everyday life, making her a favorite among readers who crave authentic, relatable narratives. Critics praise her ability to merge personal intimacy with universal themes. Off the page, Emily is an advocate for women in publishing, leading workshops that encourage young female writers to embrace their voices. She lives in Seattle with her partner and two rescue cats, where she continues to write, teach, and inspire a new generation of storytellers.
