Summary
Five members of the U.S. Men's hockey team did not attend a White House visit with President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, the U.S. Women's hockey team declined an invitation to the White House, citing scheduling conflicts. President Trump had joked about inviting the women's team to avoid backlash.
Key Facts
- Five players from the U.S. Men's hockey team missed the White House visit ahead of Trump's State of the Union address.
- President Trump contacted the men's team after their gold medal win and invited both the men's and women's teams to the White House.
- The men's team accepted the invitation, while the women's team declined, mentioning prior commitments.
- The absence of five players was noted in a photograph of 20 team members at the White House.
- The five players who did not attend are Kyle Connor, Jake Guentzel, Jackson LaCombe, Brock Nelson, and Jake Oettinger.
- President Trump jokingly said he should invite the women's team to avoid backlash, a comment that got attention online.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson plans to allow the hockey team to attend the State of the Union.
- President Trump's State of the Union address is set to begin at 9 p.m. ET.
