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The U.S. men’s ice hockey team continued its Olympic gold medal celebrations at home with a whirlwind tour Tuesday that began with an Air Force flight to Washington, D.C., and ended with a standing ovation at the State of the Union address.
But amid the praise, the team faced some backlash on social media.
Jack Hughes poses for a photo with members of Team USA, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was among members of the administration who welcomed American hockey players before visiting President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.
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Leavitt shared a photo on social media posing with assistant director of communications Margo Martin and several members of Team USA. The photo included Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman, Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, Jack and Quinn Hughes, and Buffalo Sabers forward Tage Thompson.
Both Hughes brothers wore red and white American caps, while Thompson sported a “Make America Great Again” cap, sparking widespread reaction on social media.
“How embarrassing,” one person on X wrote in a post sharing the photo. Another person responded, calling Thompson “trash” for wearing the MAGA hat.
“From here to zero in record time,” that person later added in another post.
Karoline Leavitt shared a photo on social media posing with Assistant Director of Communications Margo Martin and several members of Team USA. The photo included Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman, Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, Jack and Quinn Hughes, and Buffalo Sabers forward Tage Thompson. Both Hughes brothers wore red and white American caps, while Thompson sported a “Make America Great Again” cap, sparking widespread reaction on social media. (Karoline Leavitt via Instagram)
Thompson faced particular criticism on social media. On her Instagram page, critics flocked to the comments of her recent post to criticize her wearing the MAGA hat.
“Your actions spoke louder than any cheap words you will invariably throw out as damage control,” one comment read. “We will remember them as the losers they are.”
“A damn shame,” another post read.
“A MAGA hat is embarrassing. You should be ashamed. We will never forget it. You are a red hat. Disgusting.”
The gold medalists of the US men’s hockey team have irritated liberal pundits and news organizations despite captivating the nation with their Olympic achievement. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
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Trump invited the men’s and women’s teams to the White House and extended an invitation to the State of the Union address, but the women’s team declined, citing scheduling conflicts.
In a video of the president’s phone call with the men’s team immediately after his victory, Trump said he “would have” to invite the women’s team, otherwise he would “probably be impeached.” Players laughed in response to Trump’s joke, which sparked some reaction on social media.
Trump said during Tuesday’s speech that the women’s gold medal team would travel to the White House, but he did not say when.
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