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Former U.S. women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe criticized the U.S. men’s hockey team for its reaction to President Donald Trump’s locker room phone call following their gold medal victory over Canada in Milan Cortina, calling the players and the president “a clown” for what she said was a “trash” comment about the gold medal-winning women’s hockey team.
Rapinoe, an outspoken critic of Trump, spoke at length about her postgame interaction with the president during the latest episode of her podcast with WNBA great Sue Bird. “One more touch.”
Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe watch the first quarter between the United States and France in the men’s basketball gold medal game during the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics at Accor Arena on August 10, 2024. (Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports)
The retired soccer star took issue with Trump’s call, specifically his joke that he would also “have” to invite the women’s team to the State of the Union address, which took place on Tuesday, and the men’s reaction to the comment.
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“The United States men’s hockey team in its prime, childhood dreams come true, a once-in-a-lifetime, sensational achievement, was ruined because it allowed itself to be totally co-opted by a clown. And now, you’re a clown. You look like a clown,” he began.
Rapinoe did not play a clip of the comment, adding, “We’re not going to put that trash on the platform.”
He went on to admit that he understands the environment and how the team might “get wrapped up right now,” but expressed disappointment that the men’s team does not respect their counterparts or themselves.
“…And then you gave this whole moment to this person, who you know will only use it for himself, will completely co-opt it.”
Gold medalists Quinn Hughes and Jack Hughes of Team USA celebrate after the men’s gold medal match between Canada and the United States on Day 16 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026, in Milan, Italy. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
She continued, “Why don’t you respect yourself more than the fact that that moment is taken by someone who, for no reason, just takes a big hit and attacks women who did the exact same thing as you?”
Rapinoe also took issue with FBI Director Kash Patel’s presence in the locker room, recalling her days as a player and how she would have handled those situations differently.
“Kash Patel is in the locker room, he’s partying, drinking beers. I’m not decorous about everything, that’s not what I need from my FBI director, like what are we doing? That’s just whatever is beyond the point.”
He later added: “I would never…those people would never be allowed in our locker rooms.”
Bird added that her biggest issue with the interaction was watching it and knowing the relationship between the men’s and women’s teams, which she called “genuine.”
“This person, who happens to be the president of the United States, makes a joke and feels dismissive, and I don’t understand the part where the men’s hockey team is really close to the women’s hockey team,” she said.
“If my friends were scorned like this, why would I laugh? Period. Eliminate the rest. That’s what I don’t understand.”
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)
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American women’s hockey star Hillary Knight addressed the controversy on ESPN, calling the joke “disgusting” but defended the male players.
“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.”
The women’s hockey team declined an invitation to the State of the Union address, but USA Hockey said in a subsequent statement that the team would “soon” visit the White House to celebrate its gold medal success “according to their schedules once their seasons conclude.”
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