On Tuesday, two days after they won the Olympic gold medal in Milan, members of the U.S. Olympic hockey team visited the White House, ahead of their planned attendance at the State of the Union address.
According to ESPN, “videos and photos of the team’s White House visit were shared on social media by Trump administration aides. Team members posed for a photograph in front of the South Portico after they arrived. They also walked along the West Wing colonnade, where Trump has posted portraits of every U.S. president just steps away from the Oval Office, where they were welcomed by Trump.”
“I recognize every one of you. I know every one of you,” Trump said as the players entered the Oval Office. “Big guys.”
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Trump, at one point, tried on the gold medal of a player who appeared to Matthew Tkachuk, and joked that “I’m not giving it back.”
Trump putting on Gold Medal: Absolutely, I’ll put it on. I’m not giving it back. pic.twitter.com/hIumVxFyxy
— Acyn (@Acyn) February 24, 2026
I absolutely called it. Matthew Tkachuk handed over his medal. https://t.co/SiJqCs2qSr
— Sherenade (@Serenade_az) February 24, 2026
In 2005, a similar moment took place between two men Trump knows well. On a visit to St. Petersburg, Russia with American business leaders, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft gave Russian President Vladimir Putin his Super Bowl ring to hold, and Putin reportedly walked off with the ring and never gave it back. Kraft later said in a statement that he had given Putin the ring as a gift.
Most of the gold medal-winning hockey team went to Washington, although five players appeared not to be with the team: Kyle Connor, Jake Guentzel, Brock Nelson, Jackson LaCombe and Jake Oettinger.
Looks like there are 5 players who are not in attendance at the white house:
– Kyle Connor
– Jake Guentzel
– Brock Nelson
– Jackson LaCombe
– Jake Oettinger pic.twitter.com/vpqETyps2D— kaz (@kazGoSensGo) February 24, 2026
Trump, in his call to the team on Sunday, had joked that he had better invite the women’s team as well, or else he would likely face impeachment. The team was reportedly invited to the State of the Union on Monday but politely declined, although it’s not clear if they were invited to the White House as well.
Photo courtesy of an X screenshot.
