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Hilary Knight calls out Donald Trump over 'distasteful joke' made about U.S. women's hockey team

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Hilary Knight calls out Donald Trump over 'distasteful joke' made about U.S. women's hockey team originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

In the days following the U.S. Men's Hockey gold medal victory over Canada, there has been plenty of controversy. It stems from a phone call that President Trump made to the men's team shortly after the team defeated Canada in overtime to win its first gold medal since 1980. 

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During the call, Trump was heard making light of the fact that he'd have to invite the women's team to his State of the Union address on Tuesday, which most of the men's team attended. 

The women's team also won gold, defeating Canada 2-1 in overtime. Now, U.S. hockey star Hilary Knight is weighing in on it all. 

Here's everything you need to know about Knight's comments about President Trump and more.  

MORE: Will the U.S. Women's hockey team visit the White House?

Hilary Knight calls out Donald Trump for 'distasteful joke'

U.S. women's hockey forward Hilary Knight called out President Trump for his words to the U.S. men's team after winning gold. 

Knight appeared on ESPN's "SportsCenter" on Wednesday and was asked about Trump's comments. She called them a "distasteful joke." 

"I thought it was sort of a distasteful joke and unfortunately that is overshadowing a lot of the success," Knight said. "The success of just women at the Olympics carrying for Team USA and having amazing gold medal feats.

 "We're just focusing on celebrating the women in our room, the extraordinary efforts, and continue to celebrate three gold medals in program history as well as the double gold for both men's and women's at the same time. And really not detract from that with a distasteful joke." 

She added that she is looking forward to celebrating all the good things that have come out of the Olympics. 

During Trump's call, some of the men's team could be heard laughing at Trump's joke about "having to invite the women too" in order to avoid getting in trouble, which resulted in several mixed reactions across social media. Several of the men's teams were seen supporting the women in Milan, and some players have close relationships.

Trump's comments and the players laughing at them, to several, can be perceived as a prime example of the misogyny surrounding women's sports that is still prevalent behind closed doors, despite the rapid growth they have had in recent years. Jack Hughes, one of the stars on the men's team, tried to downplay it all. 

"Everyone is giving us backlash for all the social media stuff today," U.S. men's star Jack Hughes said of the backlash on Monday. "People are so negative out there, and they are just trying to find a reason to put people down and make something out of almost nothing."

"I think everyone in that locker room knows how much we support them, how proud we are of them," Hughes added. "The same way we feel about them, they feel about us." 

Knight is the most-decorated female Olympic hockey player in United States history, winning her fifth Olympic medal in Milan last week. Against Canada, she scored a game-tying goal to make it 1-all. She currently plays for Seattle in the PWHL.  

MORE:Everything to know about Donald Trump-USA Hockey call, Kash Patel celebration

What did Donald Trump say about USA women's hockey team?

Trump invited the men's team to attend his Tuesday evening State of the Union address, which all but a few players went to. He added that he'd "have to" invite the U.S. women's team to come, too. 

"I must tell you, we're going to have to bring the women's team, you do know that?" Trump said on the call. "I do believe I would probably be impeached," Trump said with a laugh, implying that the reaction would be negative if he only invited the men's team after both won gold.

You can hear the genuine pride in Donald Trumps voice when he called the Team USA Hockey Team pic.twitter.com/ch6GbXShwh

— Harrison Krank (@HarrisonKrank) February 23, 2026

While the men's team quickly accepted Trump's invitation, the women's team declined, not long after the video of Trump's call went viral. While the official statement from the women's team cites scheduling, it's hard to imagine the declining isn't related. 

The women's tournament ended three days before the men's, and 16 of the 23 players on the women's roster play professionally in the PWHL, while the remaining seven are on NCAA rosters.

"We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal-winning U.S. Women's Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement," USA women's hockey said in a statement. "Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate. They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment."

The women's team, including all other female Olympic and Paralympic medalists have since been invited by Flavor Flav for their own medal celebration. 

While Knight is the first female player to weigh in on Trump's comments, she may not be the last. 

MORE: Why Flavor Flav is hosting Olympic celebration for U.S. women's hockey team

USA hockey reactions to Trump comments

Knight wasn't the only one to speak about the comments. Most of the players were thankful for the support they received, saying that they have a good relationship with the men's team.

Megan Keller, who scored the overtime winner in the gold medal game against Canada, said that the whole situation is unfortunate. 

"I don’t really have a response," Keller said. "It’s unfortunate the conversation surrounding it, where it’s gone throughout social media. But all I can say is, I’ve never been more proud to pull on the USA jersey."

Taylor Heise of the Minnesota Frost said that she echoed a lot of the comments, saying she congratulated the team and saying "we have major respect for them."

Heise was not the only one on the Frost to comment on it, with three other gold medalists chiming in.

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