Members of the U.S. women’s hockey team have expressed disappointment at President Donald Trump’s “distasteful” joke about being forced to invite them to Washington, D.C., while emphasizing that the uproar shouldn’t distract from their victory.
The controversy began on Sunday, when Trump called the men’s hockey team after they won the Olympic gold medal — their first since 1980 — and invited them to the State of the Union and the White House. He said he’d extend the same offer to the women’s team, which also won gold against Canada.
“I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that,” Trump said with a chuckle. Otherwise, he joked he would face impeachment.
His remarks provoked laughter from the team, who were drinking beer in a locker room with FBI Director Kash Patel, video of the moment shows.
On Tuesday, most of the men’s team — decked out in Team USA sweaters — traveled to the White House to meet with Trump, and several attended the president’s address to Congress that evening. The women’s team initially declined the president’s SOTU offer, citing existing commitments. Trump, though, said during his address that the team will visit the White House “soon.” The team is yet to publicly confirm.
At least three of the team’s members have since spoken publicly about the incident.
Hilary Knight, the women’s team captain and player for the Seattle Torrent, told ESPN on Wednesday that she found Trump’s joke “distasteful,” though she conceded that the men’s team was “in a tough spot.”
“I think this is just a really good learning point to really focus on, you know, how we talk about women,” Knight said. “Not only in sport, but in industry. Women aren’t less than, and our achievements shouldn’t be overshadowed by anything else other than how great they are.”
She added that the two teams have developed a strong camaraderie during the Milan Olympic games and that she doesn't want a “quick lapse” to district from their twin victories.
Women’s team player Hayley Scamurra, a forward for the Montréal Victoire, said on a podcast on Tuesday that the call “was what it was.” But, she said it was drowned out by the “outpouring of love and support” they’ve received.
Team USA player Kelly Pannek, a two-time gold medalist, telegraphed a similar sentiment Wednesday. She told reporters that the men’s team had supported the women in Italy, but that Trump’s joke didn’t come as a shock.
“With the phone call specifically, it's not surprising, to be frank," Pannek said. "So I don't know why we expect differently, but I think for us, it's also just about getting back to the focus on our team and what our team accomplished."
“The video is what it is, you’d have to ask them their feelings on it,” she added.
At least one member of the men’s team has expressed regret for how the call with the president went down.
“We should’ve reacted differently,” Team USA player and Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman told reporters Wednesday.
“We know that we are so excited for the women’s team,” he added. “We have so much respect for the women’s team, and to share that gold medal with them is something that we’re forever grateful for.”
In lieu of attending the White House, the women’s team may instead revel in their Olympic victory thousands of miles away. On Tuesday, rapper Flavor Flav extended an invite to the team for a “real celebration” in Las Vegas.
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