USA hockey controversy, explained: Why Donald Trump call, Kash Patel celebration have caused mixed reactions

For the first time in 46 years, the United States has a gold medal winner in men's hockey.

Jack Hughes and the rest of the USA roster were welcomed as heroes in Miami on Monday, a day after the Devils star scored the golden goal that gave the Americans an overtime win over Canada and indefinite bragging rights over their neighbor to the north.

The moment couldn't pass without U.S. president Donald Trump getting in on the fun, giving the team a celebratory call in the locker room, but some are unhappy with what they heard on the call. Team USA also celebrated with Trump-appointed FBI director Kash Patel, which stirred controversy after the win.

Here's what you need to know about USA Hockey's call with Trump and why it's creating controversy.

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Donald Trump phone call

USA men's hockey coach Mike Sullivan revealed after the gold medal game that Trump gave his players a call in the locker room.

"The players just had the president on, I don't know what it was, what do you call it, FaceTime, whatever, in the locker room," Sullivan said. "He just spoke to the group, expressing how proud he was of the group and congratulating everybody on the win."

Video later surfaced of the call, with Trump calling the team's performance "unbelievable" and joking that goalie Connor Hellebuyck "played not bad" with 41 saves. 

One moment on the call, however, has caused some controversy in the days following the win. Here's a look at what Trump said.

What did Donald Trump say about the women's hockey team?

Trump also invited the team to Tuesday's State of the Union address, an invitation the players immediately accepted. It was a comment about inviting the women's team that rubbed some on social media the wrong way.

"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 joked, implying that the reaction would be negative if he only invited the men's team after both won gold. 

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

The players laughed along with the joke, sparking mixed reactions across social media despite many on the men's roster having close relationships with members of the women's team. 

MORE: How did Jack Hughes lose his teeth?

USA Hockey State of the Union invite

Trump extended invitations to both the men's and women's hockey teams to attend Tuesday's State of the Union address in Washington, D.C.

The men's team quickly agreed while on the phone with Trump, despite some logistical challenges in getting from Milan to Miami to the nation's capital, and at least some players are expected to attend even as the NHL season resumes for some teams.

On Monday, the women's team politely declined the invitation, citing "previously scheduled academic and professional commitments." The women's tournament ended three days before the men's, and 16 of the 23 players on the women's roster play professionally in the PWHL, while the remaining seven are on NCAA rosters.

"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."

MORE: Ranking Connor Hellebuyck's best saves from gold medal game

Why Kash Patel celebrated with USA hockey

A call with the president after winning gold for the first time in 46 years might not be overtly political, but some were unhappy that the men's hockey team celebrated with Trump-appointed FBI director Kash Patel in the locker room.

Video from the locker room showed Patel chugging beer and posing with gold medals in Milan after the win.

A source sent me this video of FBI Director Kash Patel partying with the US Men's Olympic Hockey team. pic.twitter.com/egjmdhOAF6

Patel has a hockey background. He previously coached a youth hockey team and has played for a recreational team named "The Dons" in Washington D.C. In 2025, he was in a box with Wayne Gretzky as Alex Ovechkin broke Gretzky's all-time goal record.

Patel's involvement in the celebration left some questioning the taxpayer money it required for him to fly to Milan, while others simply didn't want the win politicized in any way.