Overview
- Video of President Trump telling the men’s team he would "have to" invite the women or risk being "impeached" went viral after the Olympic gold wins in Milan.
- Women’s captain Hilary Knight called the remark a distasteful joke and said it has overshadowed the team’s accomplishment.
- Men’s players including goalie Jeremy Swayman and defenseman Charlie McAvoy said they should have reacted differently or apologized for laughing on the call.
- The women’s team declined the State of the Union invitation due to prior academic and professional commitments, while most of the men attended and five players returned to their NHL clubs instead.
- Trump said the women would visit the White House "soon," and USA Hockey said any celebration will depend on player availability, as public figures such as Flavor Flav offered alternative honors.