Controversy has stirred online after President Donald Trump’s phone call with the USA men’s hockey team went viral.
The president could be heard speaking to the team on speakerphone in the locker room following their gold medal victory against Canada in the Winter Olympics.
With FBI director Kash Patel in the room with the hockey team and holding the phone, Trump invited the men to meet him at the White House, telling them that ‘we’ll just have some fun’ and that he has ‘medals’ for them.
The president then went on to add: “And we have to - I must tell you, we’re gonna have to bring the women’s team, you do know that. I do believe that I probably would be impeached [if the women’s team wasn’t invited], okay?”
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The remark was met with laughter from the men’s team but has since not gone down well with people online.
Reacting to the interaction, one user took to Instagram to say: “@usahockey is so disappointing. The win was such a great feeling until this.”
Another wrote: “Out of curiosity, what was so funny about inviting the women’s team?”
A third person commented: “For a split second there I felt patriotic. Thanks for ruining it.”
And a fourth added: “The US Men’s Hockey Team owes the US Women’s Hockey Team an apology.”
Social media users have also been calling for USA Hockey to speak out on the incident, with one person writing: “So… we’re just gonna pretend that didn’t happen? That’s a choice.”
And another said: “Imagine still not addressing what happened in the locker room.
The US men’s team took the president up on his offer and attended the State of the Union address, which took place yesterday (February 24).
They were present in the House chamber during the speech, where they wore their gold medals and received an applause and standing ovation.
However, the US women’s hockey team were notably missing from the event as they declined their invitation to the White House, according to a spokesperson.
Speaking on behalf of the team in a statement, the spokesperson said: “We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal-winning US Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement.
“Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate. They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgement.”