Hilary Knight Responds to 'Distasteful Joke' Trump Told the U.S. Men's Hockey Team After Olympics Victory

NEED TO KNOW

• Hilary Knight shares insight on where the women’s U.S. hockey team stands with the men’s team
• In a now-viral video, the men’s U.S. hockey team laughed when President Donald Trump jokingly told the men's team he would "probably" be impeached if he didn't invite the women's team to the State of the Union address; both U.S. men's and women's hockey teams won gold medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics
• The U.S. women’s hockey team, along with several of the male players, declined an invitation to the White House

Hilary Knight knows where the women’s U.S. hockey team stands with the U.S. men’s hockey team following “a distasteful joke” made by President Donald Trump. 

During a Wednesday, Feb. 25, appearance on ESPN’s SportsCenter, the 36-year-old ice hockey forward explained that despite a now-viral phone call in which Trump congratulated the men’s team for winning the gold against Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, there is no issue between the two U.S. teams.

Happening Now—President Trump welcomes the @USAHockey team to the Oval Office here at the @WhiteHouse. Congratulations TEAM USA!!!!!🥇🇺🇸🦅🚀 pic.twitter.com/rdI13mfRqA

— Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) February 24, 2026

“I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team,” the president, 79, said, laughing as the men’s hockey team took the call from their locker room. “You do know that. I do believe I’d probably would be impeached [if the women’s team wasn’t invited].”

The players on the team joined in on the laughter.

"I thought it was sort of a distasteful joke, and 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,” Knight told ESPN on Wednesday.

"We're just focusing on celebrating the women in our room, the extraordinary efforts, and continue to celebrate three gold medals in program history as well as the double gold for both men's and women's at the same time," Knight said. "And really not detract from that with a distasteful joke."

Despite what transpired on the phone call, the athlete maintained that there is still a mutual respect the men's and women's hockey teams have for each other.

"I think there's a genuine level of support there and respect," Knight said. "I think that's being overshadowed by a quick lapse.” 

“I think the guys were in a tough spot, so I think it's a shame this storyline and narrative has kind of blown up and overshadowing that connection and genuine interest in one another and cheering each other on," Knight added.

The men’s team was invited to the White House and the annual State of the Union address after winning the team's first gold medal since 1980. 

The women’s team declined the invitation, as did several members of the men’s team.

"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 spokesperson for USA Hockey told NBC News. "Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate."

Jeremy Swayman, who was in Italy with Team USA, acknowledged days later that he and his teammates should have "reacted differently."

“We know that we are so excited for the women’s team. We have so much respect for the women’s team," Swayman, 27, told reporters. "To share that gold medal with them is something we’re forever grateful for. Now that we're home, we get to share that together forever and see the incredible support that we have from the USA in sharing this incredible gold medal.”

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Jack Hughes, who helped the men’s team with their victory, shared the same sentiments. His mother, Ellen Hughes, is a coach on the women's team.

"Everyone is giving us backlash for all the social media stuff today. People are so negative out there,” he said. "I think everyone in that locker room knows how much we support them and how proud we are of them. And we know the same way we feel about them, they feel about us."

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