SEATTLE (AP) — Hilary Knight, a star of the U.S. women’s Olympic hockey team, found President Trump’s recent joke about the women’s team to be “distasteful.” Speaking with fellow Olympians in Seattle, Knight emphasized the importance of highlighting the achievements of women in sports, especially during a historic moment for American female athletes at the Milan Cortina Games.
Knight, a two-time gold medalist, holds the record for the most goals and points scored by a U.S. player in Olympic hockey. She chose to focus on the success of her teammates rather than on Trump’s offhand comments. After the U.S. men’s team won gold against Canada, Trump invited them to the White House, joking about needing to invite the women’s team too.
While the men’s team visited Trump before the State of the Union, many women were returning to their clubs after the games. USA Hockey said logistical issues prevented the women’s team from making the trip to the White House, due to a snowstorm that changed their travel plans. They had planned to promote their achievements, including a special bell ringing at the New York Stock Exchange, but those events were canceled.
Knight stressed that the bond between the men’s and women’s teams is strong and should not be overshadowed by jokes. She celebrated the unprecedented collaboration of both teams, noting that their achievements are a source of pride.
Kelly Pannek, another player, shared that there’s a genuine respect between both teams, recognizing the historical significance of their partnership. Goaltender Jeremy Swayman mentioned that the men could have reacted differently to Trump’s comments, showing the shared journey of earning that gold medal.
The women’s hockey team won their gold medal while outscoring opponents 33-2. Knight described this as one of the best teams to represent the U.S. on the world stage, emphasizing the need for their legacy to be remembered.
The U.S. finished with 12 gold medals in Milan Cortina, with women athletes contributing to eight of those victories. As they look forward, the earliest the women’s team might visit the White House is late spring, after the Professional Women’s Hockey League season ends.
For more insights into the achievements of American athletes, check out the AP Winter Olympics.
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Donald Trump, Hilary Knight, 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic Games, Hockey, Womens hockey, 2026 Winter Olympics, Olympic hockey, WA State Wire, Washington, Alex Carpenter, Sports, Olympic games, Hannah Bilka, Kelly Pannek, Winter Olympic games, Cayla Barnes, Seattle Redhawks
