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Why USA Hockey Faces A Gold Medal PR Crisis
ByLindsey Darvin,Contributor. I am an expert on leadership, policy, and equity in sport and esport.

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Feb 24, 2026 at 11:55am ESTFeb 24, 2026 at 08:35pm EST

Summary

USA Hockey faces a PR crisis after the men's gold medal team laughed dismissively when the women's team's White House visit was mentioned. This, coupled with USA Hockey's silence and unequal travel arrangements, highlights disrespect towards the dominant women's program. The incident is alienating fans and underscores deeper issues of sexism in sports, demanding a response from leadership.

Ice Hockey - Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics: Day 9

MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 15: Connor Hellebuyck #37 and Jack Eichel #9 of Team United States celebrate after the victory in the Men's Preliminary Group C match between the United States and Germany on day nine of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 15, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

As beer flowed and celebrations filled the U.S. men’s locker room following their Olympic gold medal hockey win, President Donald Trump called to congratulate and invite the players to Washington, D.C. Once the women’s team was mentioned, everyone burst out in laughter.

In the now viral clip, Trump says, “I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the woman’s team. You do know that?” He then added, while laughing, “I do believe I probably would be impeached."

What should have been a shared moment of national celebration instead landed as a public display of disrespect. It struck a nerve with fans who found the tone dismissive of the women’s Olympic gold medal victory over Canada, but also reflective of how the U.S. women’s team has been overlooked and underinvested in, despite winning on the world’s biggest stage….
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https://www.forbes.com/sites/lindseyedarvin/2026/02/24/why-usa-hockey-is-facing-a-gold-medal-pr-crisis/

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