Featured Image Credit: Bruce Bennett/Getty
Topics: Donald Trump, Sport, Olympics, US News
Lucy Devine
The US women's hockey team has responded after receiving an invitation from President Donald Trump to attend his State of the Union address.
On Sunday evening (February 22), Trump was criticized for comments he made to the US men's hockey team.
Both squads won gold medals at the Winter Olympics, with the women defeating Canada on Thursday, while the men beat Canada on Sunday.
A phone call between Trump, FBI Director Kash Patel - who sparked backlash with his behavior at the hockey final - and the men's team has since gone viral online after the president made comments about the women's team, and extended the invite to both squads.
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“Unbelievable. You were all unbelievable. That team is pretty good you played,” he can be heard saying.
The US leader continued: “I’ll tell you what – I just told my people two minutes ago. I said, we’re giving the State of the Union speech on Tuesday night. We could send a military plane or something. But if you would like to [attend], it’s the coolest night.”
“I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that,” Trump said, joking that he 'probably would be impeached'.
People were disappointed by the comments, with one person calling the phone call 'disgusting', while another described the exchange as 'vile'.
The women's team have now declined the invite, explaining that due to scheduling, travel and previously planned commitments they will be unable to attend.
In a statement, a team spokesperson explained: “We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal–winning U.S. 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 acknowledgment.”
According to the Associated Press, the women's team only learnt of the invite on Sunday evening, which made it complicated to change travel plans that were already in place.
Newsweek reports that not only do many of the players have to return to their professional obligations this week, but that the women's team were reportedly due to fly back to America on Monday evening to Atlanta.
It's not currently clear if the men's team will attend the address.
Men's hockey player Matthew Tkachuk called the call with Trump 'super cool' after landing at Miami International Airport on Monday.
As per Fox News, he told reporters: “It’s an honor hearing from the President of the United States.
“Hearing that he was supporting us and all the other athletes wanting us to bring home as many gold medals as we can. We’re definitely honored to represent him and the hundreds of millions across the country and to bring a gold medal back.”
Following the news, people have been praising the women's team for declining the invite, although it's important to note that there is nothing to suggest the invite was declined due to reasons aside from scheduling issues and travel commitments.
One person wrote: “I knew my girls wouldn’t disappoint us.”
Another said: “As they should. Tired of women’s sports being blatantly disrespected.”
While a third commented: “F**k yes. Women of principle. The men could (read: will not) learn something from this.”
UNILAD has contacted the White House for comment.