Donald Trump called the USA's Olympic hockey team shortly after their victory over Canada in the final, eliciting mixed responses from the players about the interaction.
After the USA secured a dramatic 2-1 overtime victory against Canada to win Olympic gold, President Donald Trump reached out to congratulate the team. He made the call to the locker room just after the final whistle had blown, prompting a lively yet reserved reaction from the players during a post-match press conference. Notably, team captain Auston Matthews and brothers Jack and Quinn Hughes found humor in the situation, sharing little about the contents of the president's call aside from that he offered congratulations.
The content of Trump's call gained traction online after a behind-the-scenes video surfaced, showing the president's interaction with the players. The clip, which has garnered millions of views on social media platform X, features Trump praising the team and joking about their goalie. Kash Patel, a figure associated with Trump and the FBI, is seen holding the phone during this exchange, adding a layer of intrigue and controversy given his affiliation.
The players' nonchalant attitude towards the president's call and their reaction during the press conference reflect a broader sentiment about interactions with political figures in sports. While the victory was a proud moment for the team and the country, the mixed reaction to Trump's congratulatory call highlights the ongoing dynamics and challenges sports figures face when navigating their identities alongside national politics.
