Team USA captured gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics with a 2-1 overtime win against Canada. Matt Boldy scored early, Cale Makar tied it late, and Jack Hughes buried the winner at 1:41 of overtime. Connor Hellebuyck made 41 saves to help end America’s gold drought of over four decades.
After the game, a locker room video sparked debate online. FBI Director Kash Patel joined the team and placed a call to President Donald Trump. The president congratulated the players and invited them to the State of the Union. Several players responded with cheers and thanked him on speakerphone.
Some fans on social media criticized the interaction. That backlash drew a strong response from Dave Portnoy. The Barstool Sports founder posted on X, “If you are mad the Men’s hockey team talked to Trump you are a psychopath.”
In his shared video, Portnoy said outrage over the call made no sense. He argued that a sitting president congratulating a gold medal team should not upset anyone.
“It’s President Trump calling the hockey team after they win, and he’s basically congratulating them,” Portnoy said. “He’s really going in Hellebuyck. He’s like, unbelievable, you guys.
“He invites them to the State of the Union, which I believe they are coming to, and he’s like, ‘Also boys, just to let you know, I’m going to have to invite the women as well, or else I get impeached. If I didn’t,’ they all laugh… People are mad. They’re going nuts. How could the hockey team laugh? “
Portnoy also dismissed criticism of Patel’s presence in the locker room. He said political leaders often attend major sporting events and celebrate with champions.
He described hockey Twitter as overly sensitive and said the reaction missed the point of the moment. In his view, the video showed patriotism and joy after a historic win. The Americans ended Canada’s Olympic streak and claimed their first men’s hockey gold since 1980.
“There’s nothing to be mad about when the President congratulates a gold medal-winning team,” Portnoy said. “…Hockey Twitter, and hockey Twitter specifically, is the softest group of people on the planet, so I had to get that out.”
The United States finished group play unbeaten and beat Sweden and Slovakia in the knockout round. The gold medal capped a dominant run and returned the Team to the top of the Olympic podium.
What Did Trump Say on the Phone Call to the USA Team?
President Trump congratulated the team for its gold medal performance. He told the players they were invited to attend the upcoming State of the Union address. When several players shouted, “We’re in,” Trump thanked them and praised their effort.
Trump also joked that the women’s team would need an invitation as well.
“We’ll do the White House next time, we’ll just have some fun, we have medals for you guys. And we have to, I must tell you, we’re gonna have to bring the women’s team, you do know that?” Trump said. “I do believe that I would probably be impeached [if the women’s team was not invited].”
Trump closed the call by applauding their victory and calling it a proud moment for the country.
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