Men's Olympic hockey team meets Trump at White House ahead of State of the Union

Trump invited both the men's and women's hockey teams to the White House and State of the Union because both teams won gold at the Olympics, but the women's team declined the invitation because of scheduling conflicts.

By Misty Severi

Published: February 24, 2026 4:18pm

The United States' men's Olympic hockey team met President Donald Trump at the White House Tuesday, hours before they are expected to attend the president's State of the Union address as his guests.

The team also toured the White House before meeting the president in the Oval Office.

Trump invited both the men's and women's hockey teams to the White House and State of the Union address because both teams won gold at the Olympics, but the women's team declined the invitation because of scheduling conflicts.

"Look at these guys! I recognize and know every one of you," Trump said in a clip of the meeting. "These are big guys!"

Olympic gold medalists Jack and Quinn Hughes confirmed the team will attend the formal address Tuesday evening and House Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed lawmakers are finding a way to "squeeze" the team in.

“We’re excited to go. It’s not something you get to do every Tuesday," Quinn Hughes said on Good Morning America. "It’s going to be special for us."