Is Team USA women's hockey going to the White House? Donald Trump says gold medal squad will visit 'soon'

The United States' women's hockey team wrapped up their 2026 Winter Olympics run in terrific fashion, bringing home gold medals by taking down Canada in overtime. But a national spotlight has continued to fall on the squad in the days after the Olympics — and for reasons far removed from the action on the ice.

The U.S. women's hockey squad's celebration plans have been the center of the controversy, particularly when it comes to the involvement of President Donald Trump. First, the team declined an invitation to Trump's State of the Union address, which the men's team attended, after the president was criticized for making a joke to the men's team about having to also "bring the women's team" or he would "probably be impeached."

However, in his State of the Union address, Trump also said on Feb. 24 that the U.S. women's hockey team would "soon" head to the White House for a celebration.

Here's the latest on whether Team USA women's hockey will be making an appearance at the White House to celebrate their Olympic gold medals.

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Is Team USA women's hockey going to the White House?

For now, it remains unconfirmed whether Team USA women's hockey will officially be making a trip to the White House to celebrate their Olympic gold.

While President Trump said on Feb. 24 that the team would "soon" come to the White House to celebrate, it's unknown whether or not Team USA accepted an invitation, or when the visit would be. However, Team USA women's hockey did previously decline an invitation to Trump's State of the Union address, citing "timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games."

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What did Donald Trump say about a future visit from the Team USA women?

During his State of the Union address, Trump said on Feb. 24 that the United States women’s ice hockey team will "soon" head to the White House to celebrate their victory in Milan. 

"They beat a fantastic Canadian team in overtime as everybody saw, as did the American women who will soon be coming to the White House," Trump said while speaking about the men’s hockey team in his address, per Fox News.

Why did Team USA decline Donald Trump's invitation to the State of the Union?

The U.S. women's hockey team declined its invitation to the State of the Union address prior to Trump’s comments about a White House invitation. The background behind the declined invitation surfaced after Trump was heard on a phone call with the Team USA men’s hockey team, which also won gold in Milan, suggesting that public reaction would be negative if he invited only the men’s team to the State of the Union.

"I must tell you, we're going to have to bring the women's team, you do know that? I do believe I would probably be impeached," Trump said. 

You can hear the genuine pride in Donald Trumps voice when he called the Team USA Hockey Team pic.twitter.com/ch6GbXShwh

That was not officially the reason that the U.S. women's hockey team would decline its invitation to the SOTU address, but Trump did receive public criticism for his joke toward the women's team.

In the days afterward, while the men's team officially accepted an invitation to the State of the Union address, the women's team announced they would be politely declining due to scheduling conflicts for players.

"We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal-winning U.S. Women's Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement," USA women's hockey said in a statement. "Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate. They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment."

With many of the women's players returning to the PWHL or their respective teams after the Olympics, the team cited its schedules in its declined invitation.

Meanwhile, the men's team posed with President Trump ahead of the State of the Union address.

And no, we're not tired of winning yet. pic.twitter.com/mrKYmBvGPN

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Has USA Hockey confirmed a future White House visit?

No, USA Hockey has not confirmed whether the Olympic women's team will be making a White House visit. 

In a statement to Front Office Sports on Feb. 25, USA Hockey said that players would be "honored and grateful to be invited and any opportunity to visit the White House," but also mentioned ongoing scheduling conflicts for players.

Statement from USA hockey

Below is USA Hockey's full statement on President Trump's White House invitation for the women's hockey team from Front Office Sports.

“Players are back competing with their professional and collegiate teams and are in the midst of their season," the statement said. "They’re honored and grateful to be invited and any opportunity to visit the White House as a team will be based on their schedules once their seasons conclude.”