Maple Leafs Captain Auston Matthews' White House Visit Sparks Backlash

Some fans say Matthews should no longer wear the 'C' after attending Trump's State of the Union address

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews' appearance at the White House after Team USA's Olympic win has drawn mixed reactions from Canadian fans, with some Leafs supporters criticizing their captain's decision to accept U.S. President Donald Trump's invitation. The backlash comes against the backdrop of Trump making controversial comments about the women's hockey team, and some fans citing Matthews' Mexican-American heritage as a reason he should have declined the invitation.

Why it matters

As the captain of a Canadian NHL team, some fans feel Matthews should be held to a higher standard and be more cognizant of the political implications of aligning himself with the U.S. president, especially given Trump's past comments and actions that have been seen as divisive and harmful. The issue has become a flashpoint where sports and politics collide.

The details

Matthews attended the White House after Team USA's Olympic gold medal win at the 2026 Winter Games in Milano Cortina. This came after Trump made a controversial comment about the U.S. women's hockey team during a congratulatory call to the men's squad. Five members of the men's team also declined the invitation to visit the White House. Some Leafs fans have criticized Matthews, citing Trump's history of comments and actions, as well as Matthews' own Mexican-American heritage, as reasons why he should have declined the invitation.

  • Auston Matthews attended the White House after Team USA's Olympic gold medal win in 2026.
  • Trump made controversial comments about the U.S. women's hockey team during a congratulatory call to the men's squad.

The players

Auston Matthews

The captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs and a Mexican-American player who won Olympic gold with Team USA.

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who invited the U.S. men's hockey team to the White House after their Olympic gold medal win.

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The takeaway

This incident highlights the growing tension between sports and politics, and the high expectations placed on athletes, especially captains of Canadian teams, to be mindful of the political implications of their actions. Matthews' decision to visit the White House has become a divisive issue, with some fans feeling he has betrayed his identity and the values of the Canadian team he represents.