Jack Hughes Addresses ‘Backlash’ After Men’s Hockey Team Accepts Trump’s White House Invite

The U.S. women’s hockey team has declined an invitation to attend President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, following their recent gold medal victory at the 2026 Winter Olympics held in Milan, Italy. The women secured the prestigious medal in a closely contested final against Canada, winning 2-1 in overtime on February 19, 2026. This marked their first Olympic gold since 2018, after having faced defeat against Canada in the 2022 Games.

The invitation to the State of the Union event was extended to the U.S. men’s hockey team shortly after their victory over Canada, which took place three days later. The men’s team, led by star player Jack Hughes, was invited over a phone call from Trump, who described their achievement as “unbelievable.” During the conversation, Trump also suggested that the women’s team would be included in the celebrations at the White House following the address.

When asked about the women’s decision to decline the invitation, Hughes, who scored the winning goal for the men’s team, pointed out that the female athletes were likely occupied with prior commitments. A spokesperson for USA Hockey reiterated this sentiment, explaining that the women’s team was unable to attend the event due to “previously scheduled academic and professional commitments” after the Games.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, Hughes indicated that while the current climate is politically charged, he and his teammates were proud to represent the United States. He expressed excitement over the opportunity to visit the White House and meet the President. “Everything is so political. We’re athletes. We’re so proud to represent the U.S.,” he said.

The men’s team faced significant online criticism following their acceptance of the invitation, with some suggesting it was inappropriate given the ongoing political divide in the country. Hughes addressed these concerns, stating, “People are so negative out there, and they are just trying to find a reason to put people down.” He reaffirmed the camaraderie between the men’s and women’s teams, emphasising mutual respect and admiration for one another’s accomplishments.

Quinn Hughes, Jack’s elder brother and a teammate, echoed similar sentiments during an appearance on Good Morning America. While he expressed enthusiasm for the impending visit, he also took the opportunity to celebrate the women’s team’s success. “We’re extremely happy to come,” Quinn said, adding that they have trained and built friendships with many players on the women’s team.

Amidst the evolving narrative, Ellen Hughes, mother of the two hockey stars and a player development consultant for the U.S. women’s hockey team, highlighted the potential for unity through sports. She remarked that both teams possess the ability to bring people together, irrespective of their differing views. “They care about humanity, they care about unity and they care about the country,” she said, underlining the importance of teamwork and mutual support in their shared journey.

While the men’s team prepares for their visit to Washington, D.C., the women’s team released a statement through USA Hockey expressing their gratitude for the invitation. The spokesperson noted that the athletes felt honoured to be acknowledged for their achievements, even though they would not be attending the event. “We are sincerely grateful for the invitation,” the statement read.

In the wake of these events, social media has become a hotbed for dialogue surrounding athlete engagement with political figures. The reactions have ranged from supportive to critical, illustrating the complex relationship between sports and politics in contemporary society. As both teams bask in their Olympic glory, this incident serves as a reminder of the broader conversations occurring within the intersection of athletics, politics, and national identity.