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Hilary Knight made her stance clear on President Donald Trump’s joke about the United States women’s ice hockey team that won Olympic gold last week.
While on the phone with the men’s team after winning gold, Trump said he “would have” to invite the women’s team, which also beat Canada to win the Olympics, to Tuesday’s State of the Union; otherwise, “he would probably be charged.”
Knight, the women’s captain and all-time leading scorer and points leader, said on Wednesday’s edition of ESPN’s “SportsCenter” that Trump’s “disgusting joke” has “overshadowed[ed]”The success of women.
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Gold medalist Hilary Knight of Team USA celebrates after the women’s ice hockey medal ceremony following the women’s gold medal match between the United States and Canada on Day 13 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 19, 2026, in Milan, Italy. (Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)
“I thought it was kind of a nasty joke and, unfortunately, that’s overshadowing a lot of the success, the success of women in the Olympics wearing Team USA and accomplishing incredible feats with gold medals,” Knight said.
“We’re just focusing on celebrating the women in our room, the extraordinary efforts, and continuing to celebrate three gold medals in the history of the program, as well as double gold for both men and women at the same time. And really not downplaying that with a nasty joke.”
Knight also gave the men’s team the benefit of the doubt for appearing to laugh at Trump’s comments.
U.S. hockey team gold medalists Quinn Hughes, right, his brother Jack Hughes, left, and their teammates are recognized by President Donald Trump during the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
“I think there’s a genuine level of support and respect,” he said. “I think that’s being overshadowed by a quick lapse. I think the guys were in a tough spot, so I think it’s a shame that this story and narrative has blown up and overshadowed that connection and genuine interest in each other and lifting each other up.”
Jeremy Swayman, the men’s team’s backup goalkeeper, admitted that the team “should have reacted differently” to Trump’s comments. But he, Jack and Quinn Hughes spoke highly of the women’s team and their relationships with them.
“We know we’re very excited for the women’s team. We have a lot of respect for the women’s team. Sharing that gold medal with them is something we will always be grateful for,” Swayman said.
Jack Hughes told reporters after the game that the first thing he thought about when the puck went in was Megan Keller, who scored the golden goal for the U.S. women’s team against Canada three days earlier.
The brothers’ mother, Ellen., former Team USA player and current member of the player development staff, said the players only cared about “bringing[ing] so much unity to a group and a country.”
Jack Hughes (86) of the United States, who scored the winning goal in overtime, celebrates after defeating Canada in the men’s ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Knight scored the tying goal late in the third period to force overtime, leading to Keller’s golden goal that gave the women’s team its third Olympic gold.
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