The newly crowned Olympic champions were warmly greeted by both Republicans and Democrats. They were also used as props by the president
uring Tuesday’s State of the Union, Donald Trump welcomed members of the US men’s national hockey team to the House gallery to chants of “U-S-A, U-S-A!”. Trump revealed that Team USA’s goaltender, Connor Hellebuyck will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. “What special champions you are,” Trump told the players, who had beaten Canada on Sunday in the final of the Winter Olympics.
In Trump’s America, proximity is never neutral.
While the hockey players were greeted with warm applause from both Republicans and Democrats, Trump had also used the team as props in his speech. “Our country is winning again,” Trump said just before he introduced them. “To prove that point, here with us tonight is a group of winners who just made the entire nation proud.”
The players first found themselves in Trump’s orbit on Sunday. Video that circulated widely online after the team’s win in Milan showed the players listening as Trump extended an invitation to the White House. Trump added: “I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team.” Many of the US players laughed – something that was interpreted widely as derisive. “People are so negative out there,” Jack Hughes, the scorer of the US’s winning goal said later, referring to the backlash that followed the video. The team was excited to go, Hughes said. “Everything is so political. We’re athletes,” he said. “When you get the chance to go to the White House and meet the president, we’re proud to be Americans, and that’s so patriotic.”
