Team USA Women's Hockey Turns Down President Trump's State of the Union Invite
After winning gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics, a trip to the State of the Union address will not be on Team USA women's hockey team's calendar of events.
"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," USA Hockey said in a statement to NBC News on Monday, February 23. "They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment."
The organization said the players will be unable to attend "due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments."
Some of the players on Team USA - including Laila Edwards, who assisted on Hilary Knight's game-tying goal in the gold medal game against Team Canada on Thursday, February 19 - are still enrolled in college. Edwards, 22, for instance, is a student-athlete at the University of Wisconsin.
The White House confirmed it invited the women's hockey team to President Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday, February 24.
The same offer was extended to Team USA's men's hockey team after they similarly defeated Team Canada in overtime in the gold medal game on Sunday, February 22.
Trump, 79, called the men's team in the locker room during their raucous celebration on Sunday, where the official invitation was presented.
"We're giving the State of the Union speech on Tuesday night," the president told them. "I can send a military plane or something. But if you would like to [attend], it's the coolest night."
Members of Team USA reacted with excitement, but suggested they'd need to be picked up in Miami after a planned celebration at E11VEN nightclub on Monday night.
"The nice thing about being president is I can tell you that you don't have to worry about the weather or landing," Trump said.
The phone call was facilitated by FBI director Kash Patel, who was partying with Team USA in the locker room.
"I'm f***in' on it," Patel, 45, told the president about organizing the State of the Union plans.
Trump stirred controversy elsewhere on the phone call, taking a dig at the USA women's team when inviting the men's team to the White House for a celebration at a later date.
"We have medals for you guys. I must tell you, we‘re going to have to bring the women's team," Trump said.
Trump suggested that if he didn't invite the women's squad, "I do believe I probably would be impeached."
Despite some criticism of his presence in the Team USA locker room - which came on the same day an armed individual was shot and killed at Mar-a-Lago - Patel gushed about the experience on social media.
"Unity, Sacrifice, Attitude - what it takes to be the best in the world," Patel shared via X. "These men live and breathe it. Now Team USA are gold medal champions, legends standing on the shoulders of giants. Thank you for representing the greatest country on earth, in the greatest game ever created. 👊🏻🇺🇸🏒"
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This story was originally published February 23, 2026 at 4:23 PM.