Former U.S. soccer star Megan Rapinoe criticized the U.S. men’s hockey team after their locker room call with President Donald Trump following their gold medal victory in Milan. She called both the players and the president “clowns” over what she described as a dismissive joke about the women’s team.
Rapinoe Reacts on Her Podcast
During a recent episode of her podcast “A Touch More,” which she co hosts with WNBA legend Sue Bird, Rapinoe shared her frustration about the interaction. The men’s team had just secured a gold medal win over Canada at the Milan Cortina Games when Trump phoned into the locker room to congratulate them.
Rapinoe objected to a remark Trump made suggesting he would also “have” to invite the women’s hockey team to the State of the Union. She felt the comment was disrespectful and took issue with the players’ reaction.
She argued that the team allowed a historic moment to be overshadowed. In her view, they handed over their celebration to someone who would use it for his own political benefit. Rapinoe declined to replay the clip on her show, saying she did not want to give it more attention.
Criticism Extends Beyond the Call
Rapinoe also questioned why FBI Director Kash Patel was present in the locker room celebration. She said that during her playing career, she would not have allowed political figures into that space.
Although she acknowledged that emotions run high after a major win, she said the players should have handled the situation differently.
Sue Bird echoed those concerns. She said her main issue was how the joke appeared to dismiss the women’s team, especially given the close relationship between the men’s and women’s programs. In her view, laughing along did not reflect that bond.
Hillary Knight Responds
U.S. women’s hockey star Hillary Knight later addressed the situation in an interview with ESPN. She described the president’s joke as distasteful but defended the men’s team.
Knight said there is genuine respect and support between both squads. She suggested the players were put in a difficult position and that the controversy has taken attention away from their shared success and camaraderie.
The women’s hockey team declined an invitation to attend the State of the Union. However, USA Hockey later said the team plans to visit the White House at a later date to celebrate their championship once their schedules allow.
The debate has added a political layer to what should have been a celebration of athletic achievement. While opinions differ, the discussion highlights how sports and politics often intersect on the national stage
