Applause for the Team USA men’s hockey didn’t last long. Despite the women’s team turning down the president’s invitation to the Oval Office, the men’s team found themselves in Washington, D.C. Trump welcomed the team with open arms and smiles all around, each player sporting their Olympic gold medals.
Coverage of the event elicited an explosive reaction from fans. As the players walked into the Oval Office to shake the president’s hand, he said, “I recognize every one of you. I know every one of you.” Coverage of the event elicited an explosive reaction from fans. Of the entire team, only five (Jake Guentzel, Brock Nelson, Jake Oettinger, Kyle Connor, and Jackson Lacombe) have been confirmed as not in attendance.
A Team of Traitors, According to Fans
Though the win was a significant moment in American Olympic history, it was short-lived for some. Reddit reactions were brutally honest about the Washington, D.C. visit, with many calling the team traitors. Some even called the behavior “shameful,” to which a Redditor replied in earnest. “More shameful that they laughed and smiled as Trump mocked the women’s hockey team, who had just won the gold medal and made most normal and well-adjusted Americans extremely proud. And these pigs pretend the anti-trans [Expletive] is just because they care so much about protecting and valuing women’s sports. Just total pieces of [Expletive] top to bottom.”
Others were more to the point in their opinions, but equally clear. “I wish the men’s team had the balls to tell him no,” one Redditor said. Another added, “Smfh USA men’s hockey is trash for this.” As the threat went on, one user alluded to Trump’s involvement in the Epstein Files. “Reminder, none of these men are safe for women,” they said. Some even wondered about the backlash they would get from their fellow players after returning to their home teams. “I don’t think these guys realize 1) how terribly this will age and 2) how they are going to be used for quite a few punch lines tonight about Canada. And they have to go look their Canadian teammates in the eyes after this,” one Redditor remarked.
