Whoopi Calls Trump 'Insanely Rude' for Honoring Men's Hockey Team at SOTU

The View co-host criticized the president for highlighting the U.S. men's Olympic hockey team when other athletes also won gold medals.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Whoopi Goldberg, co-host of "The View," criticized President Donald Trump for specifically honoring the U.S. men's Olympic hockey team during his State of the Union address, saying it was "insanely rude" when other American athletes had also won gold medals at the Winter Olympics.

Why it matters

Goldberg's comments highlight the ongoing political tensions and partisan divisions in the U.S., with some criticizing Trump for allegedly favoring certain athletes over others. The controversy also touches on broader debates around presidential recognition of athletic achievements.

The details

During his State of the Union address, Trump invited the U.S. men's Olympic hockey team, who had defeated Canada 2-1 in the finals, to the event. However, Goldberg and other co-hosts of "The View" argued that Trump should have also recognized other American gold medalists from the Winter Olympics. Goldberg said it was "insanely rude" for Trump to single out the men's hockey team when "a lot of people won gold for the U.S."

  • President Trump invited the U.S. men's Olympic hockey team to his State of the Union address on February 26, 2026.
  • The women's Olympic hockey team, who also won gold, declined Trump's invitation, citing "academic and professional commitments following the Games."

The players

Whoopi Goldberg

Co-host of the talk show "The View" who criticized President Trump for singling out the U.S. men's Olympic hockey team during his State of the Union address.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who invited the U.S. men's Olympic hockey team to his State of the Union address.

U.S. men's Olympic hockey team

The American men's hockey team that won the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, defeating Canada 2-1 in the finals.

U.S. women's Olympic hockey team

The American women's hockey team that also won the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, but declined Trump's invitation to the State of the Union address.

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What they’re saying

“He's also insanely rude, because a lot of people won gold for the U.S., a lot of people won gold. I'm sorry. You know. The women's hockey team and the women — and the young skater who comes from [an] immigrant family — I mean there are a lot —”

— Whoopi Goldberg, Co-host, The View (The View)

“Sunny Hostin, Whoopi Goldberg, and 'Joyless' Behar are extremely unlikeable, talentless hacks with a poorly rated TV show who clearly suffer from a severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome. President Trump delivered an incredible State of the Union Address where he outlined his successes in delivering on the mandate that nearly 80 million Americans voted for – to Make America Great Again.”

— Davis Ingle, White House Spokesman (Fox News)

What’s next

The controversy over Trump's recognition of the men's hockey team at the State of the Union is likely to continue, with some calling for the president to also honor other American gold medalists from the Winter Olympics.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing political divisions in the U.S., with some criticizing the president for allegedly favoring certain athletes over others. It also raises broader questions about the role of the presidency in recognizing athletic achievements and the importance of inclusivity in such celebrations.