USA Women's Hockey Captain Slams 'Distasteful' Trump Joke

Hilary Knight criticizes the president's comments about the women's team after their Olympic gold medal win.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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After the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, where both the USA women's and men's ice hockey teams won gold medals, USA Women's Hockey captain Hilary Knight spoke out against a joke made by President Donald Trump about the women's team. Knight called the joke "distasteful and unfortunate" and said it minimized the team's historic accomplishments. The women's team later declined an invitation to attend Trump's State of the Union address due to scheduling conflicts.

Why it matters

Knight's comments highlight the ongoing challenges female athletes face in gaining equal recognition and respect for their achievements, even after major successes like the USA women's hockey team's Olympic gold medal win. The president's joke is seen as an example of the casual dismissal of women's sports that many female athletes continue to experience.

The details

During a congratulatory call with the USA men's hockey team after their gold medal win, Trump joked that he would "probably be impeached" if he didn't also invite the women's team to his State of the Union address. Knight and other players discussed their reactions, with Kelly Pannek saying she "wasn't surprised" and Taylor Heise calling for "politics" to be kept out of the sport. Knight, however, strongly criticized Trump's comments, saying they were "distasteful and unfortunate" and that she shouldn't have to "sit in front of you and explain someone else's behavior." She emphasized that the women's achievements should not be "outshined or minimized" by the president's remarks.

  • The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan took place in February 2026.
  • Trump made the joke about the women's team during a congratulatory call with the men's team after their gold medal win.
  • The USA women's hockey team later declined the invitation to attend Trump's State of the Union address due to scheduling conflicts.

The players

Hilary Knight

The captain of the USA Women's Hockey team, who won a gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

Donald Trump

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

Kelly Pannek

A player on the USA Women's Hockey team.

Taylor Heise

A player on the USA Women's Hockey team.

Jeremy Swayman

A goalie on the USA Men's Hockey team.

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What they’re saying

“I just thought the joke was distasteful and unfortunate, and the way women are represented, it's a great teaching point, to really shine light on how women should be championed for their amazing feats. Now I have to sit in front of you and explain someone else's behavior. It's not my responsibility.”

— Hilary Knight, USA Women's Hockey Captain

“Whatever's going on in the world, it shouldn't outshine or minimize their performance on the world stage. I want people to be remembered for that, and really focus on championing what we've done and what we achieved in the past two and a half weeks together.”

— Hilary Knight, USA Women's Hockey Captain

“I wasn't surprised.”

— Kelly Pannek, USA Women's Hockey Player

“politics should be kept out of the sport.”

— Taylor Heise, USA Women's Hockey Player

“the team should've reacted differently, and that sharing the gold medal with them is something they are 'grateful' for.”

— Jeremy Swayman, USA Men's Hockey Player

What’s next

The women's team later declined the invitation to attend Trump's State of the Union address due to scheduling conflicts.

The takeaway

Hilary Knight's criticism of President Trump's joke highlights the ongoing challenges female athletes face in gaining equal recognition and respect for their achievements, even after major successes like the USA women's hockey team's Olympic gold medal win. The president's comments are seen as an example of the casual dismissal of women's sports that many female athletes continue to experience.