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President Donald Trump’s phone call to the United States men’s Olympic hockey team sparked controversy after they laughed after a mention of the women’s team.
While on the phone with the 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.”
The joke sparked some laughter in the locker room, which Team USA’s backup goalkeeper, Jeremy Swayman, seemed to regret.
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Goaltender Jeremy Swayman of the United States during the Men’s Ice Hockey Preliminary Round Group C match between the United States and Denmark on day eight of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 14, 2026, in Milan, Italy. (Jean Catuffé/Getty Images)
“We should have reacted differently,” Swayman told reporters Wednesday when asked about the phone call.
Members of the men’s team, including Jack and Quinn Hughes, mentioned that the teams celebrated and supported each other during the Olympics.
Swayman also insisted on this point.
“We know we are 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,” she said.
The women’s team declined an invitation to Washington, DC, citing scheduling conflicts. But Trump announced that they will visit the White House in due time.
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.
Gold medalist Jeremy Swayman of Team USA celebrates 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. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Hughes’ brother Quinn, who scored an extra-time goal against Sweden last week, said it was “amazing to spend some time” with the women’s team in the Olympic village.
The brothers’ mother, Ellen, a former Team USA player and current member of the player development staff, did not seem bothered by Trump’s comments.
“These players, both men and women, can bring a lot of unity to a group and a country,” he told “Today.” “The people who cheer and don’t watch hockey, the people who have politics on one side or the other, and that’s all that matters to both the men’s and women’s teams.
Team USA’s Jeremy Swayman watches during the Men’s Group C Preliminary match between the United States and Denmark on day eight of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Stadium on February 14, 2026, in Milan, Italy. (Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)
“If you could see what we see from the inside, and the men and women sharing, you know, bedrooms and hallways and flexible floors and the camaraderie and the synergy and the way the women encouraged the men and the way the men encouraged the women, that’s what it’s all about,” she continued. “And the other things they can’t control. They care about humanity. They care about unity and they care about the country.”
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