{"id":2909,"date":"2026-02-26T15:03:16","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T15:03:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/viralspotlight26.com\/?p=2909"},"modified":"2026-02-26T15:03:16","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T15:03:16","slug":"here-are-the-five-us-mens-hockey-stars-who-rejected-trumps-white-house-invitation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/viralspotlight26.com\/?p=2909","title":{"rendered":"Here are the five US men\u2019s hockey stars who rejected Trump\u2019s White House invitation"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Just days after winning Olympic gold with a 2\u20131 victory over Canada on Feb. 23, members of the U.S. men\u2019s hockey team were invited by President Donald Trump<\/span><\/span> to visit the White House. A locker-room video showed Trump congratulating the team and joking that he\u2019d \u201chave to bring the women\u2019s team\u201d too \u2014 a comment that sparked online criticism.<\/p>\n

The U.S. women\u2019s hockey team, which also won gold, declined the invitation due to scheduling conflicts and instead celebrated with Flavor Flav<\/span><\/span>.<\/p>\n

The men\u2019s team attended the White House during the State of the Union on Feb. 24, where Trump praised the players. However, five members \u2014 Brock Nelson, Jackson LaCombe, Jake Guentzel, Jake Oettinger, and Kyle Connor \u2014 were absent. No official reason linked their absence to politics, though some speculation circulated online.<\/p>\n

Connor later said he skipped the visit to prepare for the NHL season, which resumed the next day. The other absent players also had professional commitments.<\/p>\n

Jack Hughes defended the team, saying they support the women\u2019s squad and emphasized that, as athletes, they are proud to represent the United States, adding, \u201cEverything is so political. We\u2019re athletes.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n

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