Keith Olbermann Criticizes Former ESPN Colleague Linda Cohn Over Auston Matthews Olympics Take

The ex-ESPN host lashed out at Cohn after she defended the Toronto Maple Leafs captain's visit to the White House.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Former ESPN host Keith Olbermann called his former 'SportsCenter' colleague Linda Cohn a 'self-obsessed politically motivated clown' following her remarks about Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews visiting the White House after Team USA's gold medal win over Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Cohn had disagreed with a Toronto Star opinion piece that criticized Matthews for choosing to celebrate with President Donald Trump over his allegiance to Canada.

Why it matters

The exchange between Olbermann and Cohn highlights the ongoing political tensions surrounding athletes' interactions with political figures, especially in the aftermath of high-profile sports events like the Olympics. Matthews' decision to visit the White House has drawn criticism from some, while others like Cohn have defended his right to make that choice.

The details

Cohn took to X (formerly Twitter) to disagree with a Toronto Star opinion piece that said Matthews chose President Donald Trump over his allegiance to Canada by celebrating the U.S. men's hockey team's gold medal win with Trump in Washington, D.C. Olbermann then responded by calling Cohn a 'self-obsessed politically motivated clown' who thinks 'HER leanings are sacrosanct and everyone else's must be suppressed.'

  • On February 27, 2026, Linda Cohn posted her remarks on X.
  • Shortly after, Keith Olbermann responded to Cohn's post on X.

The players

Keith Olbermann

A former ESPN host who has since pivoted to political media.

Linda Cohn

A Hall of Fame broadcaster with ESPN who has been with the network since the 1990s.

Auston Matthews

The captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs who visited the White House with the U.S. men's hockey team after their gold medal win at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States at the time of the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Toronto Star

A Canadian newspaper that published an opinion piece criticizing Auston Matthews' decision to visit the White House.

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What they’re saying

“Be better. I hope you don't speak for Leafs fans.”

— Linda Cohn, ESPN Broadcaster (X)

“Hate to finally break it to you [Linda Cohn]. I'd say 'be better to you' but it's an impossibility. You're a self-obsessed politically motivated clown who thinks HER leanings are sacrosanct and everyone else's must be suppressed. We've indulged you all these years. That now ends.”

— Keith Olbermann, Former ESPN Host (X)

The takeaway

This exchange highlights the ongoing political tensions surrounding athletes' interactions with political figures, especially in the aftermath of high-profile sports events like the Olympics. The debate over Auston Matthews' decision to visit the White House has sparked a larger conversation about the role of politics in sports and the expectations placed on athletes as public figures.