After Team USA women’s hockey captured gold at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics, what should have been a moment of celebration was quickly overshadowed by a viral phone call from President Donald Trump to the men’s team.
The president joked he would "probably be impeached” if he didn’t invite the women. His acknowledgment was political necessity, not recognition of their achievement, which they earned just as much as the men did.
In celebrating the men while snidely diminishing the women, the White House showed that even in moments of national pride, gender equality is only embraced when convenient.
The news took social media by storm with Rapper Flavor Flav extending support for the women’s team. Meanwhile, the women declined the half-hearted invitation to visit the White House. The contrast between the public’s enthusiasm for the women’s team and the phone call from Trump only heightened the scrutiny.
Gold medalists Jack and Quinn Hughes emphasized unity, their personal camaraderie with the women and their shared training. Yet, the brothers also said “we're proud to be Americans, and that's so patriotic,” in reference to being invited to the White House. “Everything is so political. We're athletes. We're so proud to represent the U.S.” Their mother, a former Team USA player herself, spoke about country over politics. And it is true: Trump did extend an invite to the women as well.
But these words do not erase impact. The team’s laughter at the president’s words in the moment derails an entire century of work women have done to be half as respected as men. So while they claim to deeply respect them, their actions did not align.
For women in sports, legitimacy has rarely been automatically granted. It’s required qualification, defense and comparison. Even if no disrespect was intended, the exchange reflected a strained dynamic.
Men’s victories are assumed while women’s must be earned. The men’s reactions landed differently for those who understand what it has historically meant to compete as a woman. To fight not only for victory, but for validation.
Although this is the first time the men have won since the 1980’s miracle on ice team, Trump’s comments tap into a long history of downplaying women’s accomplishments.
This did not end with the phone call. FBI Director Kash Patel was present in the locker room, facilitating the president’s call and celebrating with the men’s team. His presence turned what should have been an athletic triumph into a politicized display of gross overreach.
It's unusual for a federal law enforcement official to insert themselves in championship celebrations. His involvement highlights how quickly the moment shifted from sports to political theater.
This shift matters deeply. It shows that when government officials embed themselves in these media circuses, the message isn’t about giving congrats, it’s actively shunning the women’s team as a form of misogyny.
The men’s victory was coined as an act of patriotism, with Oval Office photo ops and public declarations of national pride. Meanwhile, the women’s identical accomplishments weren't even properly acknowledged or respected. It was instead seen as a necessary means and performative invitation.
While one team’s win was amplified as a national moment, the other was treated as secondary afterthought. During his State of the Union address, Trump announced he would bestow the Presidential Medal of Freedom upon U.S. men’s hockey goalie Connor Hellebuyck. The award is one of the nation’s highest civilian honors. The men’s win is being magnified outside the rink and catapulting them as a beacon of national pride. Meanwhile, commentary around the women’s team focused on their response and choices rather than their win.
This episode fits into a larger pattern of behavior by Donald Trump, who has repeatedly used sports to reinforce his political messaging. From highly publicized appearances at Ultimate Fighting Championship fights to sideline visibility at NFL games and the storied Army-Navy Game, he often aligns himself with moments steeped in patriotism and national pride.
His push for FIFA to award him a so-called “peace prize” reflects how political figures can attach themselves to the unifying power of sports. Athletic victories carry emotion and symbolism. When leaders step into those moments, they share in that glow. When that recognition is uneven, by celebrating men and minimizing women’s accomplishments, the message is clear.
In moments meant to celebrate athletic excellence, the spotlight should shine evenly. This time, it didn’t, and that matters.
Safa Razvi is a sophomore studying journalism and serves as the Opinion Editor for The Daily Cardinal. Do you agree that Trump’s comments and actions send a message that women’s athletic achievements are valued less than men’s? Send all comments to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
