Controversy was sparked online after a clip of the USA men’s hockey team in the locker room went viral.
A video has been doing the rounds on social media of the team speaking to President Donald Trump on the phone following their gold medal victory against Canada.
The team was joined in the locker room by FBI director Kash Patel who could be seen holding a phone with the president speaking to the team on speakerphone.
Trump could be heard inviting the men to meet him at the White House, telling them that ‘we’ll just have some fun’ and that he has ‘medals’ for them.
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The president then went on to add: “And we have to - I must tell you, we’re gonna have to bring the women’s team, you do know that. I do believe that I probably would be impeached [if the women’s team wasn’t invited], okay?”
The remark was met with laughter from the men’s team but has since not gone down well with people online.
Reacting to the interaction, one user took to Instagram to say: “@usahockey is so disappointing. The win was such a great feeling until this.”
Another wrote: “Out of curiosity, what was so funny about inviting the women’s team?”
A third person commented: “For a split second there I felt patriotic. Thanks for ruining it.”
And a fourth added: “The US Men’s Hockey Team owes the US Women’s Hockey Team an apology.”
Social media users have also been calling for USA Hockey to speak out on the incident, with one person writing: “So… we’re just gonna pretend that didn’t happen? That’s a choice.”
And another said: “Imagine still not addressing what happened in the locker room.”
The US women’s hockey team declined their invitation to the White House, according to a spokesperson, who spoke on behalf of the team in a statement which read: “We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal-winning US 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 acknowledgement.”
The US men’s team did attend the State of the Union address which took place yesterday (February 24).
They were present in the House chamber during the speech, where they wore their gold medals and received an applause and standing ovation.