U.S. Men's Hockey Team to Attend Trump's State of the Union Speech

The Olympic gold medalists' appearance at the address sparks both pride and controversy.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 2:22am

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A vibrant, abstract painting featuring the U.S. men's hockey team's gold medals in a fractured, overlapping composition of red, white, and blue geometric shapes, conveying the energy and patriotism of their Olympic victory.The U.S. men's hockey team's high-profile appearance at the State of the Union address reflects the complex intersection of sports, politics, and national pride.Washington Today

The U.S. men's hockey team, fresh off their Olympic gold medal victory, is set to attend President Donald Trump's State of the Union address. While most players will be present, some have declined the invitation, citing personal reasons or scheduling conflicts. The move has sparked both pride and controversy, as the team's appearance is seen as both a celebration of athletic achievement and a potential political statement.

Why it matters

The U.S. men's hockey team's attendance at the State of the Union address highlights the intersection of sports and politics. Their presence is viewed as a symbolic gesture, but it also raises questions about the appropriate role of athletes in political events and the potential for their participation to be interpreted as an endorsement of the administration.

The details

Twenty members of the U.S. men's hockey team met with President Trump in the Oval Office earlier on Tuesday, posing for photos and videos with their Olympic gold medals. However, several notable players, including Brock Nelson, Jackson LaCombe, Jake Oettinger, Jake Guentzel, and Kyle Connor, have declined the invitation to attend the speech. The National Hockey League resumes games on Wednesday, adding another layer of complexity to the players' decision. Trump extended the invite on Sunday, following the team's thrilling overtime victory against Canada for the Olympic gold. During a celebratory call, Trump jokingly remarked he'd face impeachment if he didn't also invite the women's team—a comment that's since raised eyebrows. The U.S. women's hockey team, who also won gold, declined the invitation on Monday, citing scheduling conflicts.

  • The U.S. men's hockey team met with President Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday.
  • The State of the Union address is scheduled for Tuesday evening.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States, who extended the invitation to the U.S. men's hockey team to attend the State of the Union address.

Brock Nelson

A member of the U.S. men's hockey team who declined the invitation to attend the State of the Union address.

Jackson LaCombe

A member of the U.S. men's hockey team who declined the invitation to attend the State of the Union address.

Jake Oettinger

A member of the U.S. men's hockey team who declined the invitation to attend the State of the Union address.

Jake Guentzel

A member of the U.S. men's hockey team who declined the invitation to attend the State of the Union address.

Kyle Connor

A member of the U.S. men's hockey team who declined the invitation to attend the State of the Union address.

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What they’re saying

“It's a symbol that we all play for America's team.”

— Mike Johnson, House Speaker

“At the end of the day, it's about the country and the unity these players bring.”

— Ellen Hughes, Consultant for the U.S. women's hockey team

What’s next

The House chamber is a tightly packed space, and the logistics of accommodating the U.S. men's hockey team are still being worked out. It remains to be seen how their attendance will be received and whether it will become a focal point of the State of the Union address.

The takeaway

The U.S. men's hockey team's attendance at the State of the Union address highlights the complex relationship between sports and politics. While their presence is intended to celebrate athletic achievement, it has also sparked controversy and raised questions about the appropriate role of athletes in political events.