AceShowbiz - Jack Hughes, the standout player from Team USA’s men’s hockey squad, addressed the recent controversy surrounding his reaction to President Donald Trump’s joke about the U.S. women’s hockey team. The incident occurred shortly after the men’s team celebrated their gold-medal victory at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

During a media session on Wednesday, February 25, Hughes explained the context behind his laughter. “You’re in the moment, the president calls,” he said. “We’re blaring the music, then they pause it, and the president calls. I don’t think ... obviously, it is what it is now.” His remarks highlighted the spontaneous nature of the event rather than any disrespect.

Hughes emphasized the mutual admiration between the men’s and women’s teams. “We have so much respect for the women’s team. They have so much respect for us. We’re all just proud Americans. We’re happy that we both swept the Olympics.” Indeed, both teams defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime in their respective gold medal games, marking a historic double victory for the United States at the Milano Cortina games.

The men’s team clinched their gold medal on February 22, with Hughes scoring the decisive overtime goal. Following the win, President Trump called the team during their exuberant locker room celebration and invited them to the White House. “We have medals for you guys. I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team,” Trump said, adding that he would “probably be impeached” if he didn’t extend the invitation to the women.

Video clips from the call showed members of the men's team, including Hughes, laughing at the president’s remarks, which sparked backlash on social media. Despite the criticism, Hughes and nearly the entire men’s team later met with Trump at the White House on February 24. Many players, including Hughes, attended the State of the Union address that evening.

Reflecting on the intense attention, Hughes said, “You’ve got to remember, we’re just hockey players. We did our job. We went over to the Olympics to win a gold medal and that’s what we did. I’ve had the best time of my life celebrating with my teammates that we accomplished our goal.” He added, “I’m a hockey player. We’re so proud to be back in the U.S. and celebrating our gold medal and to do it with our teammates, that’s the best part.”

On the ice, Hughes returned to NHL action on Wednesday with his New Jersey Devils, who lost 2-1 to the Buffalo Sabres. He contributed an assist on the team’s only goal. Before the game, a special pregame ceremony honored Hughes, attended by his parents, Ellen and Jim, at New Jersey’s Prudential Center.

Hughes expressed his affection for New Jersey after the game. “I really do love living in New Jersey, playing in New Jersey,” he said. “I just feel like they accepted me so deeply and I feel like I’m their guy. Every time I drive in for these games, I see people walking at 4:30 p.m. with Hughes jerseys on and I roll my window and scream at them – they love that.”

Buffalo Sabres star Tage Thompson, who also won gold with Team USA at the Olympics, joined Hughes for part of the ceremony. “I wasn’t expecting that,” Thompson said. “He’s a class act ... cares about his teammates, cares about his country, his team. Obviously, he scores the overtime winner, and that’s supposed to be a moment for just him, and to include me in that was really special, and I definitely appreciated it.”

The controversy also drew comments from fellow Team USA hockey player Vincent Trocheck. On February 23, Trocheck addressed the media regarding the divisive political attention surrounding the White House visit. “It’s sad that it’s getting politicized the way it is,” he said. “We’re all very proud to be Americans, and we were all so proud to go [...]”

Meanwhile, President Trump referenced the U.S. women’s hockey team during his February 24 State of the Union address, after the women’s team declined the White House invitation. While discussing America’s success, Trump brought out the men’s hockey team as an example of winning—a moment that further fueled the discussion around the teams and their contrasting responses.

Despite the backlash, Hughes and the men’s team remain united in celebrating their achievements and the pride they share as American athletes. Their Olympic victories have marked a remarkable chapter in U.S. hockey history, with both men’s and women’s teams showcasing exceptional skill and teamwork on the world stage.