How The US Men’s Hockey Team Won Gold But Lost Our Respect

Featured Image via The White House

If you listened closely this week, you could almost hear a collective gasp resounding from 1980.

Yes, the U.S. men’s hockey team finally did it. Team USA defeated Canada 2-1 to win Olympic gold for the first time since the Reagan administration, leg warmers, and the original “Miracle on Ice.”

And of course, there was a phone call.

President Donald Trump personally congratulated the men’s team, because nothing says national unity like a FaceTime from the Oval Office after you’ve rediscovered how to win. During the call, he joked, “I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that.” He added that if he did not invite the women’s team, “I do believe I probably would be impeached.”

Haha. So funny. So lighthearted. So totally not tired.

In the leaked video, the entire team laughed at the women’s expense while Trump listened on. And no, these weren’t nervous giggles, they were belly laughs.

Now, let’s zoom out for just one second.

While the men were busy snapping a nearly half century losing streak, the U.S. women’s hockey team has been dominating the sport since it was introduced to the Olympics in 1998. They’ve won gold three times: 1998 in Nagano, 2018 in PyeongChang, and 2026 in Milan. They have medaled in all eight Olympic appearances. Every. Single. Time.

In 1998 they defeated Canada 3-1. In 2018 they defeated Canada 3-2 in a shootout. In 2026 they defeated Canada 2-1.

Consistency is a beautiful thing.

Yet somehow, when the men win one gold medal for the first time since cassette tapes were a thing, the red carpet rolls out, the presidential hotline lights up, and suddenly we’re all meant to act like this is the second coming of Lake Placid.

When interviewed in the locker room today, Boston Bruins’ Jeremy Swayman said, “We should’ve reacted differently. We’re so excited for the Women’s team and have so much respect for the Women’s team.” Sorry, Swayman, but respect in public means nothing when there was no respect in private.

Jeremy Swayman on the reaction to the postgame call with President Trump:

“We should’ve reacted differently. We’re so excited for the Women’s team and have so much respect for the Women’s team.” pic.twitter.com/NLJmk7wlE5

— Evan Marinofsky (@EvanMarinofsky) February 25, 2026

To their credit, the U.S. women’s team declined Trump’s invitation to attend his State of the Union address. The refusal came a day after the president’s “joke” about having to invite them too. The women cited scheduling conflicts.

Meanwhile, the men happily attended. They visited the White House, posed for photos, and later received a bipartisan standing ovation during the State of the Union. Two full minutes of applause.

Because nothing says bipartisan unity like hockey.

Oh, and dinner? Classic.

Trump treated the team to McDonald’s at the White House. Again. As he famously does with men’s championship teams. Fries, nuggets, burgers. A Michelin star experience, truly.

Adding another layer to this Olympic soap opera is Jack Hughes, Team USA star and boyfriend of Canadian sellout—I mean, pop princess Tate McRae. Hughes previously commented that “everything is so political,” seemingly lamenting how sports can’t just be sports anymore.

And yet…

Photos circulated of him at the White House wearing Trump merchandise and posing for pictures. Social media did what social media does best and asked the obvious question: Is everything too political, or only when it is inconvenient?

To top it all off, after the U.S. defeated Canada, Trump shared an AI-generated video depicting himself playing hockey and physically fighting Canadian players.

Because if you win one gold medal in 46 years, the logical next step is deepfake presidential body checks.

The irony here is almost poetic. This should have been a historic, joyful moment for American sports. It still is, technically. Laila Edwards made history as the first Black American ever to medal in Olympic hockey during Black History Month. The women’s team continued a legacy of prevailing. American athletes across disciplines delivered extraordinary performances.

And yet, here we are again, dealing with misogyny and shameless ignorance instead of celebrating these timeless milestones.

This week, Trump also tweeted about releasing UFO files amid high public demand. Which is fascinating, considering there is also high demand for gender equality, equal pay, protection of trans kids, affordable healthcare, and reproductive rights. But sure. Aliens are more important right now.

Anyway.

Let us redirect our applause where it belongs.

Again, to Laila Edwards for becoming the first Black American to win a gold medal in hockey. To figure skater Alysa Liu for winning gold in both women’s singles and in the team event. To Mikaela Shiffrin and Breezy Johnson for winning gold in alpine skiing. To Elana Meyers Taylor for continuing to build her legacy in bobsled and winning gold. To Erin Jackson for making history as the first Black woman to win a Winter Olympic gold medal in an individual sport. To Hilary Knight and to every woman who medaled, who competed, who qualified, who trained in rinks and on mountains and tracks long before anyone decided to care. To the women who will win this Spring and the next Olympics to come.

Seriously. Thank you.

Let’s stop forgetting who has been doing the winning all along.