Team USA flying high, now hit by political headwinds

Monday afternoon, the American men’s Olympic hockey team arrived at Miami International Airport feeling like they were on the power play of a lifetime. 

Wearing their gold medals, greeted by adoring fans, then off to celebrate at a Miami nightclub, it was a nonstop run of joy since they beat arch hockey rival Canada in the gold medal game.

A day later, the team is facing headwinds, driven by politics. They flew to Washington aboard a government jet, headed for a White House visit followed by an appearance at the State of the Union as President Donald Trump’s guests. 

“We go back to reality tomorrow, so one more day,” said Matthew Tkachuk of the Olympic team and Florida Panthers star. “Take advantage of it, have some fun and make some memories.” 

Some members of the Team USA men’s hockey team were heading to Washington on Tuesday to attend President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address after a wild party in Miami to celebrate their gold medal win in the 2026 Olympics.

They already made golden memories in Milan. Toothless Jack Hughes took a bite of Olympic glory with his game-winning goal. On the Today Show on Tuesday, he said his mind flashed to Megan Keller’s gold medal goal in the women’s championship game. 

“One of my first thoughts was her, so proud to join her as gold medalist and men’s and women’s team go over to Italy and win gold, it’s so special for the U.S.,” Hughes said. “If there was a camera on me and Quinn when the women’s team won, we looked like the biggest superfans of all time.”

Along with his brother, Quinn Hughes, who also starred in the Olympic hockey tournament, they said there was camaraderie and mutual respect between the American men’s and women’s teams, with players attending each other’s games.

But the men are absorbing criticism for the way they reacted to a call from Trump in the locker room just after they had won. Trump invited them to the State of the Union and to the White House. 

“I’m also going to have to bring the women’s team,” Trump said, drawing laughter from the players. 

That reaction sparked tons of social media outrage from people interpreting the team’s laughter as disrespect for women. 

“Do you know that there are little girls in the stands at every game wearing your names on their jerseys? Because that’s who you’re laughing at,” said one woman on Instagram. 

The U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team is set to celebrate its gold medal win with a big bash in Miami. NBC6’s Ari Odzer reports

On the positive side of social media, there are many tweets like one from actor Adam Sandler, who wrote, “Way to go you all. Thanks for working so hard for yourselves. For your families. And for us.”

Agreeing to attend the State of the Union, though, as Trump’s guest could be another issue in these polarized political times. 

The issue came up for discussion on the Dan LeBatard Show. 

“And so going to this to serve as a willing pawn is controversial and as long as they realize that and accept it, then I’m all for it,” said veteran sports columnist Greg Cote.

“They don’t realize it, that’s the part of this, this whole group is constantly saying keep politics away from this, we don’t want this to be political, you welcomed it in,” responded Jeremy Tache. 

Some of the players have said they think of the State of the Union as another chance to celebrate the gold medal with the entire nation. 

The women’s team declined the invitation.