Rusty Weiss
Florida Panthers star and Team USA forward Matthew Tkachuk has dismissed criticism surrounding the men’s hockey team’s White House visit after capturing gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The Americans defeated Canada in overtime in Milan, Italy, to claim the medal. In the locker room immediately after the victory, President Trump extended an invitation to the champions.
Following the historic win, the team interacted with the President and FBI Director Kash Patel, and set off a firestorm of controversy in the media for daring to laugh at a harmless joke about the women’s team needing an invitation as well. They also won the gold medal.
Several players, including Tkachuk, a key member of the gold-medal-winning U.S. squad, accepted and traveled to Washington, D.C. The visit coincided with the State of the Union address.
Appearing on Hang Out with Sean Hannity, Tkachuk brushed off the backlash tied to the team’s celebrations and the decision to meet with Trump. He called accepting the invitation “the quickest ‘yes’ ever.”
Tkachuk Brushes Off Criticism Over Trump Visit
Still, he acknowledged that scrutiny has followed nearly every aspect of Team USA’s post-win festivities.
“For us, there’s gonna be criticism for everything we’ve done – all of the partying we’ve done, all the fun we’ve been having,” he said. “But we’ve earned the right to have the greatest time and the greatest celebration. Of course, one of the first invites we get is from the president in the locker room. It was the quickest ‘yes’ ever.”
No doubt they’ve earned that right. It was Team USA’s first Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey since the legendary 1980 “Miracle on Ice” team. It’s worthy of celebration.
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Some insufferable losers, such as Megan Rapinoe, wanted to rain on that parade.
Megan Rapinoe says she would’ve never let FBI Director Patel in her locker room.
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) February 26, 2026
Rapinoe’s World Cup career ended in 8/2023 with her missing a penalty shot.
Her pro career ended in an 11/2023 game where she had a non-contact injury in the first 3 mins.pic.twitter.com/BxZnRTWHhp
Tkachuk has no time for that clown show, pointing out that being honored by the President of the United States is an honor no matter who happens to be in the White House.
“It doesn’t matter who was president,” he defiantly stated. “We are getting invited as Team USA to go to the White House and represent the sport of hockey, represent USA hockey, be representatives of Americans. What an honor this is.”
NBA legend Charles Barkley recently weighed in on the debate, criticizing what he called “sensitive” sports fans for their backlash against the hockey team.
Barkley emphasized that he would have accepted a White House invitation as a champion, regardless of his personal views on Trump, because he respects the office of the presidency.
“I’ve said this before, I’m not a Trump guy. But if I got invited to the White House, I would go. I’m not a Trump guy – I want to make that clear. But I respect the office,” he said. “He’s the president of the United States. But if guys don’t want to go, I understand that, too. It doesn’t have to be a talking point. It doesn’t have to be un-American.”
“I just wish y’all would stop falling for the stupidity.”
Tkachuk has visited the White House multiple times during Trump’s second term—including celebrations for the Panthers’ Stanley Cup titles.