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President Donald Trump and United States men’s hockey gold medalist Matthew Tkachuk had a light-hearted interaction in the Oval Office on Tuesday ahead of the State of the Union address.
Tkachuk was with several members of the team, taking photos and showing off their medals after defeating Canada in overtime on the final day of the Winter Olympics. The Florida Panthers star asked the president if he wanted to wear the medal.
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Gold medalists Vincent Trocheck #16m Matthew Tkachuk #19 and Dylan Larkin #21 of Team USA celebrate during the medal ceremony 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)
“Yes, absolutely. I’m not giving it back,” Trump joked.
Tkachuk replied: “I’ll trade you for a pen.”
Trump said it was “cool” to have the medal around him, adding: “I never thought I’d have this on me.”
Dylan Larkin and Jack Hughes then posed for a photo behind Trump at his desk.
Matthew Tkachuk (19) of the United States celebrates after the United States defeated Canada in a men’s ice hockey gold medal game between Canada and the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
The group of players who were at the White House to meet with the president will attend the State of the Union address later Tuesday night. Trump invited the team to the event as they celebrated their gold medal in Milan.
The players’ enthusiasm seemed to upset Trump’s critics. But while speaking to reporters outside the E11EVEN nightclub in Miami on Monday night, Hughes said meeting the president is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Brady Tkachuk (7) and Matthew Tkachuk (19) of the United States celebrate after the United States’ victory over 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)
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“It’s all very political. We’re athletes. We’re very proud to represent America and when you have the opportunity to go to the White House, meet the president, you know, we’re proud to be Americans, that’s very patriotic. No matter what your views are, we’re very excited to go to the White House and be a part of that,” he said.
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