Dave Portnoy Claims Only Psychopaths React Negatively to Trump's Hockey Remarks
Dave Portnoy has entered the fray regarding President Donald Trump’s controversial remarks about the USA women’s hockey team, made after both the men’s and women’s teams secured gold medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics against Canada.
“People are furious, they’re losing their minds. ‘How could the [USA men’s] hockey team laugh, why are they engaging with the president?’ This should serve as a litmus test for psychopathy,” Portnoy, 48, stated during a recent episode of FS1’s Wake Up Barstool. “If the president calls to congratulate you after winning a gold medal, I don’t care if you don’t want to talk to him. But getting upset when someone interacts with the President of the United States, who is merely congratulating them? That’s absurd.”
He elaborated, “If this speech ruffled your feathers, you might want to take a valium and step back. There’s nothing offensive about a president congratulating a gold medal-winning team.”
Portnoy also commented on FBI Director Kash Patel celebrating with the team after their nail-biting overtime victory. A viral video showed Patel chugging a beer and sporting a gold medal alongside the players, which drew criticism amid ongoing investigations into various high-profile cases.
Trump’s remarks came after he invited the men’s team to the White House following their victory on February 22. “We have medals for you guys. I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team,” he quipped, prompting laughter from the men’s team.
“I do believe I probably would be impeached if I didn’t invite them,” he added. “We’re giving the State of the Union speech on Tuesday night. I can send a military plane or something. But if you would like to [attend], it’s the coolest night.”
Trump went on to commend the team for their “unbelievable” overtime win against Canada, marking the first gold medal for men’s hockey since the iconic “Miracle on Ice” in 1980. “Everyone that called me said, ‘I’m watching the hockey game.’ I don’t know of anyone who wasn’t,” Trump continued. “You’re going to be proud of that game for 50 years as you grow older. It was amazing. We love you guys. Congratulations and I hope to see you.”
The USA men’s team is set to attend the president’s State of the Union address, while the women’s team has declined their invitation.
The statement continued, “They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.”
Jack Hughes, who played a pivotal role in leading the USA men’s team to victory, addressed the backlash regarding the women’s team declining Trump’s invite on Monday. “They’ve got busy schedules too,” said Hughes, 24. “Everyone is giving us backlash for all the social media stuff today.”
He added, “People are so negative out there; they’re just looking for reasons to criticize and create drama out of nothing.”
Jack’s mother, Ellen Hughes, who serves as a player development consultant for the USA women’s ice hockey team, shared her perspective on Tuesday: “At the end of the day, it’s just about the country.”
“These players, both men and women, can foster so much unity within a group and across a nation,” she noted. “Fans who cheered on that don’t necessarily follow hockey or align with one political side or another; that’s what both teams care about.”
Ellen, 56, emphasized, “If you could see what we see from within—men and women sharing dorm rooms and cheering each other on—that camaraderie is what it’s all about.” She concluded by stating that all players prioritize “humanity” and “unity.”
