Trump's 'Distasteful' Olympics Joke Overshadows Women's Hockey Gold Medal Victory
Team USA women's hockey captain Hilary Knight is speaking out against President Trump's controversial comments that she says are overshadowing the historic achievements of female athletes at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
During a February 22 phone call congratulating the men's hockey team on their gold medal victory, Trump made what Knight called a "distasteful joke" about bringing the women's team to the White House, adding that if he didn't, "I do believe I probably would be impeached."
A Moment That Should Celebrate Excellence
Speaking on ESPN's "SportsCenter," Knight expressed frustration that the president's remarks are detracting from the extraordinary success of women athletes representing Team USA. "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," the closing ceremony flag bearer said.
The women's hockey team made history by defeating Canada 2-1 in overtime, with Megan Keller scoring the game-winning goal. This marked their third gold medal in program history and created a rare double gold moment alongside the men's team.
Gender Equity in Sports Discourse
Knight used the moment to highlight broader issues about how society discusses women's achievements. "This whole exchange is a really good learning point to really focus on how we talk about women, not only in sport but in industry," she emphasized. "Women aren't less than, and our achievements shouldn't be overshadowed by anything else other than how great they are."
The team captain noted the genuine support between the men's and women's hockey programs, expressing disappointment that Trump's comments are overshadowing that positive relationship. "I think that's being overshadowed by a quick lapse," she said, adding that "the guys were in a tough spot."
Different Responses to White House Invitation
While the men's hockey team accepted an invitation to attend the State of the Union on February 24, the women's team declined the president's invitation. This decision reflects broader conversations about athlete activism and political engagement in sports.
Ellen Hughes, mother of hockey stars Jack and Quinn Hughes and a player development consultant for Team USA's women's ice hockey, emphasized the unifying power of sport. "These players, both the men and women, can bring so much unity to a group and to a country," she told TODAY.
Focusing on the Victory
Despite the controversy, Knight and her teammates are determined to celebrate their achievement. "We're just trying to focus on celebrating the women in our room, the extraordinary efforts, and continue to celebrate three gold medals in program history," she said.
The team's victory represents more than athletic excellence, it symbolizes the ongoing fight for equal recognition and respect for women's sports achievements. As Knight noted, they're "celebrating all great things that have come out of the Olympics and feeling the love and the support."
This incident serves as a reminder that language matters, especially when discussing the achievements of underrepresented groups in sports. It highlights the need for leaders to use their platforms responsibly and celebrate all athletes' contributions to American excellence on the world stage.