Trump invited the whole men’s hockey team to attend the State of the Union following their stunning gold medal win at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, which they have accepted. The women’s hockey team declined their invitation.
The New Jersey Devils star, who scored the game-winning goal in a dramatic overtime victory over Canada, spoke candidly to a reporter about the backlash they are facing for accepting Trump’s offer.
Hughes, sporting a gap-toothed grin after losing several teeth during the intense final match, emphasized national pride over politics.
“We’re excited! Everything is so political. We’re athletes, we’re proud to represent the US. You get the chance to meet the president, we’re proud to be Americans, and we’re patriotic. No matter your views, we’re super excited to go to the White House,” Hughes stated.
🚨 BREAKING: Team USA hockey star Jack Hughes REFUSES to cave to the leftist mob, says he’s proud to go see President Trump at the White House
“We’re excited! Everything is so political. We’re athletes, we’re PROUD to represent the US. You get the chance to meet the…pic.twitter.com/pk2LwYU8Fa
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh)February 24, 2026
Hughes also addressed the women’s team’s choice not to attend.
“They got their reasons… I mean, we know like everyone’s for all the stuff today, but it’s so negative out there to find a reason to put people down [and] make something out of almost nothing,” he added in the same interview. “You know, we over the course we like were so tight after we won.”
Hughes’ patriotism was also onfull displayimmediately after the game, when he draped himself in the American flag.
Source: The Gateway Pundit
