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Both the United States' men's and women's ice hockey teams took home the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
To make the victories even better, both came in overtime, and both saw the USA win 2-1 over Team Canada, which is generally favored as being the best hockey team.
It was an exciting win for the United States, and the men's team celebrated in their locker room after the big win. Videos have been released of their celebrations, including downing beers with FBI Director Kash Patel and a FaceTime with President Trump. During the FaceTime, Trump invited the men's team to attend his State of the Union address, and then added he guessed he should invite the women's team too.
The hockey wins came over the weekend, and both teams had to fly back from Italy amid a severe storm in the northeastern United States. The NHL season resumes on Wednesday, with the State of the Union address scheduled for the night of Tuesday, February 24.
Here is more on whether or not the gold-medal-winning USA hockey teams are at the State of the Union address.
MORE: How Jack Hughes became national icon for Team USA
Is USA hockey at the State of the Union?
During the video showing the FaceTime with the President, the men's team accepted the invitation, but it didn't feel like a binding decision. It is more seen as the team riding high from the win and responding to the President's offer. Officials from both the White House and Team USA have not confirmed whether they will attend the address.
The men's gold-medal-winning team is confirmed to be celebrating the victory in Miami, Florida on Monday night. Trump has invited them both to the State of the Union address on Tuesday, and to the White House on Wednesday to be honored, per The Athletic.
With the address and the visit lining up with the NHL regular season restarting, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told The Athletic that "players can decide on an individual basis if they want to accept the invitation and then it'll be up to their individual teams whether or not to grant permission."
The women's team declined the invitation. A spokesperson for the team said, "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...They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment."
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson pointed out that the logistics may be tough to get the men's hockey team to the State of the Union. "We’ve got to figure out logistics. There's no way to have special guests on the floor because it's a literal session of Congress and you know that's what's good about rules. But we're going to work and do what we can to accommodate. We certainly want to have them here for the celebration. It's quite a feat. The men's and women's hockey teams. We're trying to work out logistics to see if there's some way to perhaps get them into the gallery and the doors, wave and receive the applause that they're due. We're working on logistics."
MORE: Why Kash Patel was celebrating with Team USA
Donald Trump calls Team USA
Trump reportedly called Team USA's men's team after they beat Team Canada. The call itself has become controversial on social media. In the call, Trump congratulated the men's team on their win and invited them to his State of the Union address on Tuesday night, even offering to send a military plane for them if that's what it took to get them to attend.
You can hear the genuine pride in Donald Trumps voice when he called the Team USA Hockey Team pic.twitter.com/ch6GbXShwh
— Harrison Krank (@HarrisonKrank) February 23, 2026While doing so, he also says, "I have to tell you, we are going to have to bring the women's team too." Many took this as a lessening of the women's team gold-medal win also over Canada, and felt like he was considering them as an afterthought, as he added, "If I don't invite them, they will try to impeach me."
Matthew Tkachuk said after Trump's call that the president "just congratulated us," adding, "It's an honor to wear this jersey and represent the U.S." Tkachuk is a member of Trump's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition and has visited the White House twice to celebrate Stanley Cup championships with the Panthers.
MORE: Best quotes after Team USA's gold medal win
What time is the State of the Union?
- Date: Tuesday, February 24
- Time: 9 p.m. ET
President Trump's 2026 State of the Union address will take place on Tuesday, February 24. It is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. ET, and he is expected to discuss immigration enforcement, economic policies, and the United States' recent success at the 2026 Winter Games.
MORE: Nathan MacKinnon says Canada was better team despite loss to USA
How to watch the State of the Union?
The State of the Union address can be watched in a variety of ways. It will air on all of the major networks like ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox as well as CNN and MSNBC.
The State of the Union address can also be streamed on YouTube, PBC, The White House website, C-Span's website.
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