Trump's Congratulatory Call Turns Controversial After Women's Team Remarks
Former US President Donald Trump has been accused of making misogynistic comments about the American women's ice hockey team during what was meant to be a celebratory phone call with their male counterparts. The controversy erupted after video footage of the call began circulating on social media platforms, drawing widespread condemnation from sports fans and equality advocates.
Historic Gold Medal Victories for Both Teams
The United States achieved remarkable success in ice hockey during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, with both the men's and women's teams securing gold medals within 48 hours of each other. The women's team triumphed over Canada first, followed by the men's team ending a 46-year gold medal drought with a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory against their northern rivals.
The men's dramatic win came through Jack Hughes' decisive goal just one minute and 41 seconds into the extra period, despite the player having lost a front tooth from a third-quarter facial injury. The victory marked America's first ice hockey gold since the famous 1980 "Miracle on Ice" against the Soviet Union.
Presidential Call Takes Unexpected Turn
Following their historic win, the men's team received a surprise congratulatory call from Trump, orchestrated by FBI director Kash Patel who had traveled to Milan for the event. During the speakerphone conversation, Trump praised the team's performance, particularly highlighting goaltender Connor Hellebuyck's contributions, and extended an invitation for all 25 players to attend his upcoming State of the Union address as honored guests.
However, the tone shifted when Trump addressed the women's team's participation. "I must tell you, we're going to have to bring the women's team... you do know that?" Trump said begrudgingly. "I do believe I probably would be impeached [if the women's team weren't invited]. But anyway, if you could work that out then I would be honoured to have all."
Social Media Backlash and Team Reactions
The video clip quickly went viral, with many social media users condemning Trump's seemingly dismissive attitude toward the women's champions. Critics described his comments as derogatory and misogynistic, questioning why the women's invitation appeared to be an afterthought rather than an equal celebration of their achievement.
Adding to the controversy, laughter could be heard from the men's team in response to Trump's remarks about their female counterparts, leading some observers to criticize both the former president and the male athletes for their reactions. One social media user commented, "The women's gold medal is no less important than the men's gold medal. He's such a misogynist."
Another critic targeted the men's team directly, stating, "Shame on them, they just tarnished their medals by disparaging their female counterparts."
Broader Olympic Context and Team Responses
The ice hockey victories contributed significantly to the United States' overall medal tally of 33 at the Winter Olympics, including 12 gold medals. Norway ultimately topped the medal table with 41 total medals after 17 days of competition.
Despite the controversy, gold medalist Jack Hughes expressed profound pride in his team's accomplishment during post-game interviews. "This is all about our country right now!" Hughes told NBC Sports. "I love the USA, I love my team-mates. It's unbelievable. The US hockey brotherhood, it's so strong... I'm so proud to be American today."
The 24-year-old athlete, who won gold alongside his brother Quinn, specifically praised goaltender Hellebuyck's performance, echoing Trump's earlier compliment. "It was an unbelievable game by Hellebuyck. He was our best player tonight by a mile," Hughes added.
Ongoing Debate About Equality in Sports Recognition
The incident has reignited discussions about gender equality in sports recognition and celebration, particularly regarding how female athletes are acknowledged compared to their male counterparts. Many observers have noted that both teams achieved identical accomplishments—Olympic gold medals—yet received markedly different treatment during what should have been a unifying moment of national pride.
As the video continues to circulate online, the controversy highlights ongoing challenges in achieving equal recognition for women's sports achievements and raises questions about appropriate conduct when celebrating athletic accomplishments across gender lines.
