Olympic gold medalist Hilary Knight has weighed in on President Donald Trump’s reaction to the U.S. women’s ice hockey team’s triumphant win.
The U.S. team beat Canada for the gold medal in last Thursday’s Olympic women’s hockey final in Italy. Their male counterparts won gold on Sunday, also victorious against Canada.
FBI Director Kash Patel, who was boozing it up and celebrating with the men’s team after their win, called Trump, who promptly invited the players to be his guests at Tuesday’s State of the Union address.
“I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team,” Trump said. “You do know that. I do believe I probably would be impeached [if the women’s team wasn’t invited].”
Several of the male players were captured laughing at Trump’s comments in a viral video.
Five-time Olympic medalist Knight shared her thoughts on Trump’s gendered remarks when appearing on SportsCenter on Wednesday.
“I thought it was sort of a distasteful joke,” Knight said. “And unfortunately that is overshadowing a lot of the success, the success of just women at the Olympics carrying for Team USA and having amazing gold medal feats.“
Knight added, “We’re just focusing on celebrating the women in our room, the extraordinary efforts, and continue to celebrate three gold medals in program history as well as the double gold for both men’s and women’s at the same time. And really not detract from that with a distasteful joke.”
In a press conference on Wednesday, Knight doubled down saying Trump’s joke was “distasteful and unfortunate.”
She added, “The way women are represented, it’s a great teaching point to really shine light on how women should be championed for their amazing feats. And now I sort of have to sit, or anybody has to sit in front of you and explain someone else’s behavior. It’s not my responsibility.”
Calling her teammates “amazing”, she said, “Whatever’s going on should never outshine or minimize their work and our success on the world stage.” Knight added, “I want the legacy of this team to be remembered... that’s what I’m trying to shift the narrative on.”
The Daily Beast has contacted the White House for comment.
More of Knight’s teammates have also weighed on Trump’s jokes about their victory. Caroline Harvey told TMJ4 News on Wednesday that they were concentrating on their success, not the president’s comments.
“It’s not something we’re focused on or really thinking about,” she said of the contents of Trump’s call.
“We are moving forward. We did what we did there, and we are proud of our group.”
Teammate Laila Edwards added, “What happened is something we had no control over. We take so much pride in what we did. We love our group and we are not going to let anything take that from us.”
Two-time gold medalist Kelly Pannek told NHL.com the men’s team had shown them respect when asked about the video filmed in the locker room and Trump’s comments in the phone call.
“The video is what it is, you’d have to ask them their feelings on it... but the phone call specifically, I think it’s not surprising, to be frank, so I don’t know why we expect differently.”
The women’s Winter Olympics hockey team declined Trump’s invitation to join the State of the Union address.
“We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal–winning U.S. Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement," a USA Hockey spokesperson said.
“Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate.”
The male team did attend, however, with Trump gushing over them. During his speech, the president announced that Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He did not mention whether other players would also be receiving the honor.
U.S. men’s hockey team member Jeremy Swayman said he had regrets for how his teammates reacted on the call with President Trump.
“We should’ve reacted differently,” Swayman said during a press call on Wednesday. “We know that, We’re so excited for the women’s team and have so much respect for the women’s team. To share that goal medal with them is something we’ll be grateful forever for.”
Knight agreed the feeling between both teams was mutual. “I think there’s a genuine level of support there and respect,” she said.
“I think that’s being overshadowed by a quick lapse. I think the guys were in a tough spot, so I think it’s a shame this storyline and narrative has kind of blown up and overshadowing that connection and genuine interest in one another and cheering each other on.”
