U.S. Women’s Hockey Team Declines State of the Union Invitation
In a respectful nod to prior commitments, the U.S. women’s hockey team has declined an invitation from President Donald Trump to attend his State of the Union address. The team, fresh off their gold medal victory at the Winter Olympics, cited scheduling and logistical challenges as reasons for their inability to attend.
The statement released by the U.S. women’s team expressed gratitude for the invitation, saying, “We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal–winning U.S. Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement.” However, “Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate. They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.”
The timing of the invitation posed a significant challenge for the U.S. women’s team, as many players were not slated to arrive back in North America until late Monday, having flown commercially to Atlanta. In contrast, the U.S. men’s team, who were also invited, traveled by charter to Miami on Monday.
An anonymous source familiar with the situation revealed that the women’s team only learned of the invitation on Sunday night, leaving little time to rearrange travel plans. The NHL and PWHL schedules, resuming this week, also contributed to the decision.
During the invitation to the men’s team, President Trump noted, “I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that.” He humorously added that failing to invite the women’s team might lead to his impeachment.
Both U.S. teams delivered thrilling performances at the Olympic games. The women’s team triumphed over Canada in a nail-biting 2-1 overtime win, while the men’s team also defeated Canada in their final match. Read more about the women’s victory here. Read more about the men’s victory here.
Matthew Tkachuk of the U.S. men’s team expressed excitement upon returning to the U.S., saying, “We felt the support being across the Atlantic and now being back on home soil we could feel it the second the wheels hit the ground. So excited to be back in the greatest country in the world and so excited to celebrate.”
Tkachuk also acknowledged the honor of receiving an invitation from President Trump, stating, “And so we are definitely honored to represent him and the millions and millions across the country.”
Vice President JD Vance showed his support by attending two of the preliminary games won by the U.S. women’s team during the initial week of the Olympics.
AP writers Stephen Whyno, Charles Odum in Atlanta, and Freida Frisaro in Miami contributed to this report.
AP Winter Olympic: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics
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