The U.S. women’s hockey team declined an invitation to attend President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, February 24, days after securing a gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
USA Hockey confirmed the decision in a statement to NBC News following the team’s 2-1 overtime victory against Canada on Thursday, Feruary 19.
“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 USA Hockey spokesperson said.
They explained, “Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate.”
The spokesperson added that the players “were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.”
The invitation came after Trump spoke on the phone with the U.S. men’s hockey team following their own gold medal win over Canada on Sunday, February 22. In a video shared on social media, the president congratulated the men and referenced the women’s team while inviting them to attend the address.
Trump said with a laugh, “I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team. You do know that. I do believe I’d probably would be impeached (if the women’s team wasn’t invited).”
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 https://t.co/dofgDnMfKm
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 23, 2026
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The women’s gold medal marked the program’s first Olympic title since 2018. Apart from this, the team had taken silver at the 2022 Games after losing to Canada.
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Team captain Hilary Knight scored the decisive overtime goal in the 2-1 championship game against Canada on February 19. The medal marked her second Olympic gold and fifth overall Olympic medal. She previously won gold in 2018 and earned silver medals in 2010, 2014, and 2022.
During the Games in Italy, Knight also became engaged to fellow Team USA Olympian Brittany Bowe. The couple began their relationship at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
Forward Laila Edwards became the first Black woman to represent the United States in Olympic hockey. Ahead of the Games, Edwards told PEOPLE, “It means everything. I think representation is so important, and role models are important, too. So to be that potential role model for someone, it means the world to me. It’s one of the biggest things that motivates me.”
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The U.S. men’s team also defeated Canada 2-1 on Feb. 22, earning its first Olympic hockey gold medal since 1980. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the women’s team’s decision not to attend the State of the Union.
