WASHINGTON – Members of the U.S. Men’s Olympic hockey team are expected to attend President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday evening, a White House official confirmed. The invitation follows the team’s stunning overtime victory against Canada on Sunday, securing the gold medal at the Milan Cortina Olympics – the first for the U.S. Men’s hockey team since the “Miracle on Ice” in 1980. The team’s anticipated presence at the Capitol Hill address is a testament to the celebratory mood surrounding the win and the administration’s eagerness to highlight the achievement.
Earlier Tuesday, twenty members of the gold medal-winning team met with President Trump in the Oval Office, posing for photographs with their medals in front of the White House. Images and video of the meeting were shared on social media by White House communications adviser Margo Martin, showcasing the players’ visit. The team, however, is not traveling as a complete unit; Brock Nelson, Jackson LaCombe, Jake Oettinger, Jake Guentzel and Kyle Connor did not make the trip to Washington.
A Whirlwind Trip from Milan to Washington
The journey to the nation’s capital has been swift for the athletes. Following their victory in Milan, the team chartered a plane to Miami on Monday night before continuing to Washington D.C. On Tuesday morning. The administration worked to coordinate the logistics of the trip, ensuring the players could attend the State of the Union address despite a busy schedule. National Hockey League games are set to resume on Wednesday, adding to the time constraints.
President Trump initially extended the invitation during a phone call to the team in the locker room immediately after their win. A video of the call circulating on social media captured the president joking that he would face impeachment if he didn’t also invite the U.S. Women’s hockey team, who also won gold at the Olympics. The women’s team ultimately declined the invitation, citing scheduling conflicts.
Logistical Challenges and Political Symbolism
The inclusion of the hockey team at the State of the Union address presented some logistical hurdles, according to House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. Johnson revealed that President Trump personally requested the team’s attendance on Sunday night, even though the gallery, where guests typically sit, was already full. “We’re going to work out logistics, and somehow, some way, we’ll squeeze in the hockey players tonight, and it’ll be a great moment for America,” Johnson told reporters on Tuesday. He added that the team’s presence was “a symbol to all of us that we all play for America’s team.”
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., echoed Johnson’s sentiment, stating that the team would be celebrated during the president’s speech as Trump discusses the 250th birthday of America. The House chamber is traditionally packed with lawmakers, officials, and guests chosen to highlight the president’s priorities.
Beyond the hockey team, President Trump has also invited Erika Kirk, the widow of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, and the parents of Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-classic National Guard member who was fatally shot in Washington, D.C. Last year, to attend the address.
A Family Perspective on the Invitation
Ellen Hughes, mother of Team USA players Jack and Quinn Hughes and a player development consultant for the U.S. Women’s hockey team, offered a perspective on the situation in an interview with NBC’s “Today.” Responding to questions about President Trump’s comment regarding potential impeachment, Hughes said, “I think at the end of the day, it’s just about the country, and the moment that these players, both the men and women, can bring so much unity to a group and to a country.”
While some players have declined to attend the State of the Union address, the majority are expected to be present, marking a rare and celebratory moment for American hockey on the national stage. The team’s appearance is expected to be a highlight of the evening, offering a moment of bipartisan unity as President Trump delivers his address to the nation.
The State of the Union address is scheduled to begin at 9:00 PM EST. Following the speech, attention will turn back to the NHL season, with games resuming on Wednesday. Further details regarding the team’s recognition during the address are expected to be released by the White House later Tuesday evening.
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