U.S. Hockey Champions Visit White House

President Trump tries on gold medal during meeting with Olympic gold medalist Matthew Tkachuk

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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President Trump welcomed the U.S. men's hockey team, led by gold medalist Matthew Tkachuk, to the Oval Office on Tuesday. During the visit, Trump tried on Tkachuk's gold medal from the Winter Olympics, joking that he wouldn't give it back. The team also posed for photos behind the president's desk in the Oval Office.

Why it matters

The visit highlighted the pride and patriotism felt by the U.S. hockey team after their gold medal victory, with player Jack Hughes emphasizing how honored they were to represent America and visit the White House. However, the celebratory event drew criticism from some who saw it as a political endorsement, underscoring the polarized political climate.

The details

During the Oval Office meeting, Tkachuk handed his gold medal to Trump, who draped it around his neck and declared, "Yeah, absolutely. I'm not giving it back." Tkachuk jokingly offered to trade the medal for a presidential pen. Other team members, including Dylan Larkin and Jack Hughes, posed for photos behind Trump's desk. The president invited the players to attend the State of the Union address later that evening.

  • The U.S. men's hockey team won the gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Milan on February 26, 2026.
  • The Oval Office visit with President Trump took place on February 26, 2026, the same day as the team's gold medal victory.

The players

Matthew Tkachuk

A Florida Panthers star who helped lead the U.S. men's hockey team to the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Jack Hughes

A member of the U.S. men's hockey team who expressed pride in representing the U.S. and visiting the White House, despite the polarized political climate.

Dylan Larkin

A member of the U.S. men's hockey team who posed for photos behind President Trump's desk in the Oval Office.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who welcomed the U.S. men's hockey team to the Oval Office and tried on the gold medal won by Matthew Tkachuk.

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What they’re saying

“Everything is so political. We're athletes. We're so proud to represent the U.S., and when you get the chance to go to the White House, meet the president, you know, we're proud to be Americans, that's so patriotic. No matter what your views are, we're super excited to go to the White House and just be part of that.”

— Jack Hughes, U.S. Men's Hockey Team Member (Fox News)

What’s next

The U.S. men's hockey team will be honored at the State of the Union address later that evening, where they will be recognized for their gold medal victory.

The takeaway

The visit to the White House highlighted the pride and patriotism felt by the U.S. men's hockey team after their Olympic triumph, but also drew criticism from those who saw it as a political endorsement, underscoring the polarized nature of the current political climate.