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Democrats Sit As Team USA Celebrated At State of the Union

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Men's Hockey Gold
Photo Credit: PBS NewsHour/YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_PNlk7d02U

Democrats remained seated as President Donald Trump honored the Olympic gold-winning men’s hockey team during the State of the Union, igniting backlash online.

Trump introduced the Winter Olympics champions to thunderous applause inside the Capitol, prompting chants of “USA” from Republicans and supporters across the chamber.

The men’s team stood as the president praised their 2-1 overtime victory over Canada.

Several Democrats declined to rise for the gold medalists and Trump definitely noticed.

“That’s the first time I’ve ever seen them get up and actually not all of them did get up,” he quipped later, after Democrats stood when he announced the women’s team would visit the White House.

The president used the moment to celebrate goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who stopped 41 of 42 shots in the championship game and delivered one of the most talked-about saves of the tournament.

Trump described the play in which Hellebuyck deflected a puck behind his back to keep the game tied.

“I asked him, “the one shot where you put your stick in the back and it hit the neck of your stick and bounced off, did you practice that or was it a little lucky?” He refused to answer that question,” Trump said.

The president announced that Hellebuyck would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom following what he described as a vote by the team.

“The members of this great hockey squad will be very happy to hear that I will soon be presenting Connor with our highest civilian honor which has been given to many athletes over the years,” Trump said.

“Great athletes have gotten that and I thought he deserved it. What a special job you did and what special champions you are.”

Trump added that both the men’s and women’s teams beat Canada in overtime. “They beat a fantastic Canadian team in overtime, as everybody saw. As did the American women, who will soon be coming to the White House,” he said.

“They were in the Oval Office before and I just want to say a second big congratulations to Team USA,” he added.

“We took a vote and I said “if anybody votes no, I’m not doing it.” They said they weren’t about to say no because they’ve never seen a goaltender play as well as Connor Hellebuyck.”

“But I just want to tell you that the members of this great hockey squad will be very happy to hear, based on their vote and my vote, and in this case my vote was more important, that I will soon be presenting Connor with our highest civilian honor which is the Presidential Medal of Freedom.”

Trump went on to praise the team for bring home the gold medal for the first time since 1980.

“What a special job you did,” he added. “What special champions you are. Thank you very much.”

Earlier in the week, Trump joked he would “be impeached” if he failed to invite the women’s team, drawing laughter from the men in the room.

The women’s team initially declined the White House invitation, citing scheduling conflicts.

“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,” USA Hockey said in a statement.

“Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate.”

“They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.”

Public figures weighed in as the controversy grew. Flavor Flav posted on social media, “If the USA Women’s Hockey team wants a real celebration and invite… I’ll host them in Las Vegas.”

“Do some nice dinners and shows and good times. I’m sure I can get a hotel and airline to help me out here and celebrate these women for real for real.”

He later claimed on Instagram that the team had accepted his invitation, though reports indicated the women may still return to the White House at a later date.

The men’s team spent Tuesday in Washington after flying in from Miami following celebrations.

Players stopped at Joint Base Andrews to pose with military personnel before heading to the White House.

Several servicemen and women tried on the players’ gold medals during photo opportunities as American flags draped over shoulders.

Inside the Oval Office, Trump greeted the athletes. “I recognize every one of you. I know every one of you,” he told them as they entered.

“Big guys,” he added while shaking hands with players wearing dark “USA” tops.

Matthew Tkachuk asked the president if he wanted to wear a medal. “Yeah, absolutely. I’m not giving it back,” Trump joked.

“I’ll trade you that for a pen,” Tkachuk replied. “It was cool,” Trump said after putting it on. “I never thought I’d have this on me.”

New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes defended the team’s decision to attend amid criticism.

“Everything is so political. We’re athletes,” Hughes said. “We’re so proud to represent the U.S., and when you get the chance to go to the White House, meet the president, you know, we’re proud to be Americans, that’s so patriotic.”

“No matter what your views are, we’re super excited to go to the White House and just be part of that,” he noted.

 

Hughes also addressed the reaction toward the women’s team. “People are so negative out there, and they are just trying to find a reason to put people down and make something out of almost nothing,” he commented.

“I think everyone in that locker room knows how much we support them, how proud we are of them. And we know the same way we feel about them, they feel about us.”

The men’s gold medal game drew a peak audience of 26 million viewers across NBC, Peacock and USA Network when Hughes scored the overtime winner past Jordan Binnington, sealing Team USA’s first Olympic hockey gold in 46 years.

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