Trump Hosts Gold Medal Hockey Team at White House Ahead of State of the Union
Just hours before delivering his State of the Union address, President Trump greeted members of the gold medal-winning men’s hockey team at the White House. The team celebrated their Olympic victory, but not without controversy surrounding invitations.
House Speaker Mike Johnson indicated that the president is making arrangements for the team to view his speech. Meanwhile, the women’s hockey team declined an invitation, following Trump’s lighthearted comment to the men’s team about potential impeachment if he failed to extend an invite to them as well.
In a notable gesture, Trump also invited Erika Kirk, widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. In contrast, several Democratic lawmakers, many of whom are boycotting the address, have invited survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse and individuals affected by ICE actions.
Anticipation builds as Trump is expected to outline his anti-immigration policies and discuss economic issues, particularly in light of the Supreme Court's recent decision against his tariffs policy.
Over a year into his second term, Trump has reshaped federal governance, often testing the limits of executive power. His administration has seen thousands arrested by federal immigration officers, with some tragic outcomes involving U.S. citizens.
As international relations remain strained, Trump’s remarks come amid renewed threats toward Iran. Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed key lawmakers in a private meeting just hours before the president's address.
The event is set for 9 p.m. ET and will be broadcast across major networks, including C-SPAN and the White House website.
During a visit to the Oval Office, Team USA player Matthew Tkachuk humorously offered Trump his gold medal. “I’m not giving it back,” Trump quipped, expressing surprise at wearing it.
Top congressional leaders have exited a briefing with Rubio, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer expressing concern over the gravity of discussions regarding Iran. “This is serious,” he remarked to reporters before departing without elaborating further.
Notably, five members of the men’s hockey team opted out of attending the White House event and will miss watching the State of the Union in person. Kyle Connor from the Winnipeg Jets was busy practicing for an upcoming game, while goalie Jake Oettinger from the Dallas Stars was also engaged with his team.
Brock Nelson of the Colorado Avalanche returned home for family time, and Jake Guentzel from the Tampa Bay Lightning was back in Tampa. Jackson LaCombe of the Anaheim Ducks was traveling back to Southern California.
The White House has prepared a video showcasing the team’s visit.
Robert Garcia, leading Democratic efforts on Epstein investigations, accused the Trump administration of orchestrating “the single-largest cover-up in modern American history.” He questioned who is being protected and why powerful individuals are shielded from accountability.
Liz Stein, a survivor who claims she was introduced to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in 1994, urged officials to reflect on their moral courage. “Human trafficking persists largely because of our cultural discomfort directly naming sexual violence,” she stated.
Stein emphasized that Epstein's crimes were not isolated incidents but rather supported by various institutions that chose to ignore them. “Courage is contagious. But so is impunity,” she warned. “History will not remember how carefully we avoided discomfort. It will remember how we demanded the truth.”
Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal highlighted that Trump would confront survivors directly in the House gallery during his speech. She criticized the lack of investigations into Epstein’s associates in America compared to actions taken abroad.
Jayapal asserted that those involved in Epstein's trafficking ring have evaded justice. “This is not a hoax,” she directed at Trump. “We are not moving on from this. You have not been exonerated and neither have any of these predators.”
In response to backlash regarding Trump’s invitation to the gold-winning hockey team, star player Jack Hughes addressed concerns raised by critics.
