The United States Men's Olympic Ice Hockey team visited the White House on 24 February 2026, following their gold medal win at the Milan-Cortina Games. This achievement was the team's first Olympic title since the 1980 'Miracle on Ice' victory. The squad, which defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime, attended an official celebration in the Roosevelt Room. Twenty of the twenty-five roster members attended the event and were subsequently honoured during the President's State of the Union address later that evening.
During the event, team members were served McDonald's cheeseburgers and fries. A video of the team eating the fast food while wearing their gold medals was posted on X by user Scarlett Johnson (@scarlett4kids), with the caption 'Brought to you courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue.' The footage circulated widely, leading to public debate regarding presidential protocol and the reception afforded to champion athletes.
The event prompted discussion regarding how athletic milestones are integrated into political narratives. Visual comparisons to other gold-medal celebrations have appeared across social media, leading to critiques of presidential optics and the role of the President in celebrity culture.
Brought to you courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/l4e0jcL0Ub
— Scarlett Johnson (@scarlett4kids) February 25, 2026
Menu and the Presidential Rationale
The meal served to the hockey team consisted of McDonald's double-stacked cheeseburgers and portions of fries. The choice of menu was a direct reflection of President Trump's established hosting style. Since his first administration, the President has favoured fast-food menus for championship sports teams, a preference he has frequently described as 'great American food'.
Gold medal champions visit the White House — and get McDonald’s. Trump’s celebration for Team USA hockey sparked online backlash, with critics calling it embarrassing and supporters calling it classic American style#usahockeyteam #donaldtrump #serve #mcdonalds #trendingnow pic.twitter.com/up1NsGSXFe
— America (@Americagrand0) February 27, 2026
The administration framed the decision as a deliberate move away from the formality of traditional state dinners, in favour of a casual environment that aligns with the President's personal hospitality preferences. While this has been a consistent feature of his events, the decision to serve this specific menu to Olympic gold medallists attracted renewed attention for its unconventional nature in a White House setting.
Contrast with the Women's Team Experience
Discussion surrounding the men's team has been influenced by the experience of the United States Women's Olympic Ice Hockey team. The women's squad, who also won gold in Milan, were photographed dining at Ristorante Ratanà, a Michelin Guide-listed establishment, hosted by actor Stanley Tucci.
This image circulated alongside the White House footage, with social media users drawing direct comparisons between the two dining settings. These comparisons have highlighted discussions about gender equity in professional sports. The debate intensified after confirmation that the women's team declined invitations to both the White House and the State of the Union address.
Stanley Tucci treats the US Women’s hockey team to one of his favourite restaurants in Milan:
— Pope Crave (@ClubConcrave) February 26, 2026
“We brought you a jersey… because you want to play forward.” pic.twitter.com/o8f8hj6iu7
The Intersection of Sport and Politics
The absence of the women's team from the White House festivities was partly due to scheduling conflicts, but it also reflected wider political friction. US women's hockey team captain, Hilary Knight, publicly addressed comments made by President Trump regarding the invitation process, which she described as inappropriate, according to ESPN News. This context added a political dimension to the athletic celebrations.
While the primary intent of the men's team visit was to commemorate their victory against Canada, the event highlighted the current level of cultural focus on professional sports in the United States. As the nation continues to discuss the President's hosting style, the images of the men's team in the Roosevelt Room remain a point of reference for the relationship between the presidency and professional athletics in 2026.
