The Men’s and Women’s U.S. Olympic Hockey Teams made history at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, finishing undefeated and beating Canada during their respective games. Both teams performed phenomenally and deserve to be treated with equal respect, but instead of focusing on the historic sweep, the women’s team’s victory is being overshadowed by an offensive “joke” and undermined by public reactions.
President Donald Trump called into the U.S. men’s team locker room after their win to invite them to the State of the Union speech and White House to “just have some fun.” The president sounded like he was beaming with pride, but what should have been a heartfelt and sentimental phone call turned into a backhanded compliment and misogynistic slander towards the women’s hockey team.
“I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team,” Trump said. “You do know that. I do believe I probably would be impeached [if the women’s team wasn’t invited].” This line was received with laughter.
The women’s team accomplished the same undefeated victory and was also invited to the State of the Union. However, it was not framed as an earned honor but as a political necessity. According to a spokesperson for USA Hockey, the women’s team turned down the invite due to prior commitments. Whether or not that was the sole reason is unimportant, what matters is celebration became secondary to unwanted controversy.
Many players of the men’s hockey team have spoken out, claiming that they are proud of the women’s team and that they should have reacted differently to the distasteful joke. These claims are difficult to take seriously when none of the players initially stood up for the women’s team.
The forward for the men’s team, Jack Hughes, stated in a call to the Daily Mail, “People are so negative out there, and they are just trying to find a reason to put people down and make something out of almost nothing,” downplaying the obscene comment that the president made.
For centuries, women have been fighting for respect — not just in sports, but in society. Women are seen as lesser than, and their achievements are overshadowed by tasteless comments and bigotry. The tremendous effect of these comments is downplayed, as they are written off as “just a joke.” Men’s sports teams are celebrated, and women’s are seen as political obligations, with their achievements reduced to a punchline. It is not “just a joke,” and it never has been. It is a reminder that equality and respect for women are still optional.
