Inside Trump’s Phone Call With Gold-Winning USA Hockey Team

After an unforgettable 2–1 overtime thriller against Canada in the Olympic gold medal game, the U.S. men’s hockey team erupted in celebration. Forty-six years after the Miracle on Ice, Team USA reclaimed gold — and the country felt it. Then came the twist that sent social media into overdrive: President Donald Trump phoned into the locker room to congratulate the team.

Inside that locker room? A fired-up squad, plenty of laughter, and FBI Director Kash Patel celebrating right alongside them.

To millions of Americans, it was pure, unfiltered patriotism. To critics, it was something else entirely.

Trump sounded energized as he spoke to the players, joking about the game and singling out goalie Connor Hellebuyck for praise after one of the most jaw-dropping saves in recent memory.

“And by the way, you only played… not bad… I have seen hockey goalies have slightly worse games,” Trump quipped, before turning serious. “Unbelievable! And you are all unbelievable.”

He floated the idea of inviting the team to Tuesday night’s State of the Union address, even suggesting a military plane could bring them to Washington. The locker room erupted at the idea.

“Boys are going to the state of the union!” a player shouted.

Trump doubled down, promising a White House celebration and medals. He even made clear that the gold-medal-winning women’s team would be included, joking that failing to invite them would get him impeached.

“You’re going to be proud of that game for 50 years,” he told them. “It was amazing. So we love you guys.”

It was the kind of freewheeling, unscripted moment that Trump supporters say defines his appeal — spontaneous, celebratory, unapologetically patriotic. Critics, however, quickly accused both the president and the team of chest-thumping nationalism.

And then there was Kash Patel.