- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,270,070
- Reaction score
- 59
President Donald Trump will be making the first State of the Union address of his second term Tuesday night.
In attendance will be hundreds of notable politicians, several presidential guests and perhaps even a few celebrities.
And after Sunday's gold medal victory over Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, members of the United States men's hockey team will also be in attendance. USA Hockey told The Athletic in a statement that 20 of the 25 members of the team were planning to attend.
The five players that are not in D.C., per various reports: Brock Nelson, Jake Guentzel, Kyle Connor, Jake Oettinger, and Jackson LaCombe.
Following the team's 2-1 overtime victory, the U.S. men's hockey team began celebrating in their locker room. They even shared a few drinks with FBI director Kash Patel. In the midst of the celebration, the team received a call from the commander-in-chief himself.
During the call, the president praised the team, calling them "unbelievable," specifically shouting out goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. Toward the end of the call, Trump made a point to invite the players to Tuesday's State of the Union address, and it appears most of the team will take the president up on that offer.
No.
During his call to the men's hockey team, Trump said he would "have to invite the women's team as well" — the same women's hockey team that also won gold with a 2-1 overtime victory against Canada. Trump joked that he probably would be impeached if he didn't invite the women's team.
Trump's phrasing caused outrage across social media. The White House did invite the women's team to the State of the Union address, but it declined the offer, a USA Hockey spokesperson said, "due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games."
The spokesperson said team members "were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment."
Trump's State of the Union address is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. ET and will be covered by networks and news programs.
The team arrived in Miami on Monday, Feb. 23. At the time, House Speaker Mike Johnsontold FOX News that they were still working out the logistics of having the team attend the event.
Trump made it clear during his phone call that he wanted the team at his address. He said, "You won’t have to worry about the weather or landing. We don’t care if it’s snowing or if it’s the worst blizzard – we’ll be sailing through like you did on the ice."
The Athletic reported that the team arrived in D.C. on Tuesday morning via military jet.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: US men's hockey team at State of the Union: Why are they there?
Continue reading...
In attendance will be hundreds of notable politicians, several presidential guests and perhaps even a few celebrities.
And after Sunday's gold medal victory over Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, members of the United States men's hockey team will also be in attendance. USA Hockey told The Athletic in a statement that 20 of the 25 members of the team were planning to attend.
The five players that are not in D.C., per various reports: Brock Nelson, Jake Guentzel, Kyle Connor, Jake Oettinger, and Jackson LaCombe.
Following the team's 2-1 overtime victory, the U.S. men's hockey team began celebrating in their locker room. They even shared a few drinks with FBI director Kash Patel. In the midst of the celebration, the team received a call from the commander-in-chief himself.
During the call, the president praised the team, calling them "unbelievable," specifically shouting out goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. Toward the end of the call, Trump made a point to invite the players to Tuesday's State of the Union address, and it appears most of the team will take the president up on that offer.
Will the women's hockey team be in attendance?
No.
During his call to the men's hockey team, Trump said he would "have to invite the women's team as well" — the same women's hockey team that also won gold with a 2-1 overtime victory against Canada. Trump joked that he probably would be impeached if he didn't invite the women's team.
Trump's phrasing caused outrage across social media. The White House did invite the women's team to the State of the Union address, but it declined the offer, a USA Hockey spokesperson said, "due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games."
The spokesperson said team members "were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment."
What time is the State of the Union address?
Trump's State of the Union address is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. ET and will be covered by networks and news programs.
When did the team return to the United States?
The team arrived in Miami on Monday, Feb. 23. At the time, House Speaker Mike Johnsontold FOX News that they were still working out the logistics of having the team attend the event.
Trump made it clear during his phone call that he wanted the team at his address. He said, "You won’t have to worry about the weather or landing. We don’t care if it’s snowing or if it’s the worst blizzard – we’ll be sailing through like you did on the ice."
The Athletic reported that the team arrived in D.C. on Tuesday morning via military jet.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: US men's hockey team at State of the Union: Why are they there?
Continue reading...
