President Donald Trump acknowledged the recent gold medal victory of the U.S. Men’s hockey team during his State of the Union address Wednesday night, inviting the team to the Capitol and prompting spontaneous “U-S-A” chants from members of Congress.
The team, fresh off their win, was present in the House chamber wearing their gold medals as Trump recognized their achievement. The President’s recognition occurred during a speech that touched on a range of domestic and foreign policy issues, but the introduction of the hockey team drew a particularly enthusiastic response, according to reports from the scene.
The moment sparked a wave of patriotic fervor, with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle joining in chants of “U-S-A,” as reported by Fox News. The display of national pride came as the team was formally acknowledged for their performance.
Prior to the address, there was anticipation regarding the team’s attendance, with reports suggesting efforts were underway to ensure their presence. A source familiar with the arrangements indicated that the team’s attendance was confirmed “somehow, some way,” reflecting a concerted effort to include the athletes in the nationally televised event, as reported by the Washington Post.
The President’s decision to highlight the hockey team’s success was also noted by CNN, which observed that Trump “skated on” the team’s wins during his address. This framing suggests a deliberate effort to associate the President with a positive national moment.
According to a report from Yahoo Sports, Jack Hughes, Quinn Hughes, and their mother were present at the State of the Union following a phone call with President Trump. The report details the family’s experience and the invitation to attend the address.
As of Wednesday evening, no official statement had been released by the White House detailing any further plans to honor the team beyond the recognition during the State of the Union address.
