US Hockey Captain Hilary Knight Condemns Trump's 'Distasteful' Remarks on Women's Team
Hilary Knight, the celebrated captain of the United States women's ice hockey team, has publicly addressed comments made by former President Donald Trump following their gold medal victory at the Winter Olympics. Knight characterized Trump's quip as a "distasteful joke" that risks overshadowing the monumental achievements of female athletes at the Games.
Controversy Erupts After Trump's Invitation Remarks
The controversy began when Trump called into the celebration of the US men's ice hockey team after their gold medal win on Sunday. During the call, Trump invited the men's team to his State of the Union address, adding, "I must tell you, we're going to have to bring the women's team. You do know that. I do believe I probably would be impeached [if the women's team wasn't invited]." Video footage showed several men's players laughing at the remark, which quickly went viral.
Knight, a five-time Olympic medalist and one of the most decorated players in women's hockey history, responded during an appearance on SportsCenter on Wednesday. "I thought it was sort of a distasteful joke and unfortunately that is overshadowing a lot of the success, the success of just women at the Olympics carrying for Team USA and having amazing gold medal feats," she stated.
Focus on Celebration Amid Backlash
Knight emphasized that the team is concentrating on celebrating their historic accomplishments, including winning their third gold medal since women's hockey was introduced to the Olympics in 1998, as well as achieving a double gold with the men's team. "We're just focusing on celebrating the women in our room, the extraordinary efforts, and continue to celebrate three gold medals in program history as well as the double gold for both men's and women's at the same time. And really not detract from that with a distasteful joke," she added.
The backlash extended to the men's team, with player Jack Hughes attempting to mitigate the reaction in a Good Morning America interview. "People are so negative about things," Hughes said. "I think everyone in that locker room knows how much we support [the women's team], how proud we are of them. The same way we feel about them, they feel about us."
Knight Highlights Support Between Teams
Knight acknowledged the strong bond between the men's and women's teams, noting that the controversy has unfortunately obscured this mutual respect. "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 explained.
In the aftermath, twenty members of the men's team visited the White House and attended the State of the Union, while the women's team declined an invitation due to "timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments." Trump mentioned during his speech that the women's team would visit the Oval Office "soon," but USA Hockey has not confirmed any such plans.
A Legacy of Excellence and a Call for Respect
At 36 years old, Knight has announced that the Milano Cortina Olympics will be her last, capping a storied career where she recorded three goals and three assists in seven games. She holds the record for the most Olympic goals (15) and points (33) of any American hockey player, male or female.
Reflecting on the broader implications, Knight urged for a shift in how women are discussed in sports and beyond. "I think this is a really good learning point to focus on how we talk about women, not only in sport but in industry," she said. "Women aren't less than. Our achievements shouldn't be overshadowed by anything else other than how great they are."
The incident has sparked widespread debate, highlighting ongoing issues of gender equality and respect in athletics, as the US hockey community navigates the fallout from Trump's remarks while celebrating its dual gold medal triumphs.
