Hilary Knight addresses Trump’s comment about women’s hockey team and men’s response to the ‘joke’

The captain of the U.S. women’s hockey team has spoken.

Chicago-area star Hilary Knight addressed a comment made by President Donald Trump about the women’s hockey team following their win at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games that sparked controversy.

“I just thought the joke was distasteful and unfortunate,” Knight said on Wednesday alongside fellow Olympians Alex Carpenter, Hannah Bilka and Cayla Barnes at the Seattle Space Needle ahead of their return to play for the Seattle Torrent of the Professional Women’s Hockey League.

The saga began days after the American women scored their gold medal victory against Canada with a thrilling overtime win, when the U.S. men’s team had followed suit with a gold medal win of their own for the first time in 46 years.

Trump, in a phone call congratulating the men’s hockey team on their gold medal, said that because he was inviting the men to his State of the Union address, he’d need to invite the gold medal-winning women’s team as well or he “would be impeached.”

“I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that,” Trump said when extending the invitation to the men’s team.

The room quickly filled with laughter from players, though one person was heard saying “absolutely” and another shouted “two for two.”

The moment was captured in a video from the team’s locker room, where the men’s hockey group celebrated with FBI Director Kash Patel, and it led to backlash on social media, for both the joke itself as well as the men’s players who laughed.

President Donald Trump welcomed the U.S. men’s hockey team during his State of the Union address.

“I think just the way women are represented, it’s a great teaching point and really shines light on how women should be championed for their amazing feats. And now I have to sort of sit – and anybody has to sit – in front of you and explain someone else’s behavior. It’s not my responsibility,” Knight said. “But what is is shifting the focus and shifting the narrative of this amazing accomplishment that we all did together.”

Knight, a two-time gold medalist whose 15 goals and 33 points in Olympic competition are the most by a U.S. hockey player at the Games, lamented that the video took on a life of its own and didn’t convey the true nature of the relationship between the men’s and women’s US hockey programs.

“The men’s and the women’s team did it together,” Knight said. “And, that’s super special. It’s never been done in our program’s history. It’s something we’re extremely proud about. But these women are amazing. And whatever’s going on should never outshine or minimize their work and our success on the world stage.”

She said she believed “there’s a genuine level of support there and respect,” which is being “overshadowed by a quick lapse.”

“I think the guys were in a tough spot, so I think it’s a shame this storyline and narrative has kind of blown up and overshadowing that connection and genuine interest in one another and cheering each other on,” she said.

Kelly Pannek, a forward on the women’s team, told reporters “the video is what it is” but added it was a “special feeling” spending time with the men’s team after they won the first Olympic gold for the U.S. in 46 years. Pannek believes there is mutual respect and support on both sides.

Speaking on the podcast The Hockey Lifers, player Hayley Scamurra shared in that sentiment, saying, “we got double gold, men’s and women’s side, like that is so incredible.”

“I want to celebrate that, and I don’t want that to be overshadowed,” she said.

Goaltender Jeremy Swayman told reporters in Boston after returning to practice with the Bruins that the men “should have reacted differently” to Trump’s remarks.

“To share that gold medal with them is something that we’re forever grateful for,” Swayman said. “And now that we’re home we get to share that together forever and see the incredible support we have from the USA and share this incredible gold medal.”

Jack Hughes, who scored the winning goal in overtime for the U.S., also said the moment did not reflect the views of the men’s team.

“You’re in the moment and the president calls. We’re blaring the music. It is what it is,” Hughes said Wednesday night after his first game back with the New Jersey Devils. “We have so much respect for the women’s team and they have so much respect for us. We are all just proud Americans.”

The men’s hockey team did attend Trump’s State of the Union, where the president awarded goaltender Connor Hellebuyck the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Some players, including Brock Nelson, Jackson LaCombe, Jake Oettinger, Jake Guentzel and Kyle Connor, did not attend the event.

Trump did invite the women’s team following his comment, but the group declined the invitation. During his address, he again said he planned to have the women at the White House, though it remains unclear if and when that will happen and the team has not confirmed its attendance.

The earliest the U.S. women could make a White House visit would be in late spring after the conclusion of the PWHL season.

The U.S. won 12 gold medals in Milan Cortina, with women playing a hand in eight of them. The women’s hockey team outscored opponents 33-2 on its way to the top of the podium.

“This was the best American women’s hockey team, the best American team we’ve ever put together on the world stage when the lights have been the brightest ever,” Knight said. “And so, I think everybody felt that going through the tournament. And, I want to celebrate. I want people to be remembered for that. I want the legacy of this team to be remembered.”