The United States men’s national ice hockey team received a welcome by President Trump this week when he hosted the players before his State of the Union address on Tuesday February 24, 2026. The moment underscored not only the team’s recent international success at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, but also the broader cultural significance of hockey on the global stage.
At the same time as the men representing Team USA won gold, they also became embroiled in a divisive scandal while celebrating their Olympic win. In the midst of both Olympic gold which made them American Olympic heroes, and controversy which invoked uproar from fans just hours later, the U.S. men’s hockey team made an appearance in Washington, D.C. that required protective Air Force transportation. Here’s why an Air Force escort was necessary for Team USA’s national hockey team.
GettyMembers of the US Men’s Olympic hockey team are recogized by US President Donald Trump as he delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on February 24, 2026.
President Trump invited the Team USA men’s hockey players to The White House – an invitiation which all but five of the team members accepted and followed through on. For the athletes, many of whom grew up idolizing Olympic and World Champion teams of the past, the experience marked an emotional full-circle moment. The experience was particularly monumental and surreal when the men’s U.S. Olympic hockey team was given Air Force transportation to The White House aboard the jumbo jetliner associated with official Presidential travel. However, the team’s time in Washington, D.C. was not without the controversy from two days prior following them to Washington.
Fresh off of Olympic glory on the ice following the men’s 2-1 overtime victory over Canada, the players were invited to The White House for ceremonial recognition by President Trump. Their presence at The White House follows a leaked video that went viral as it shows the U.S. men’s hockey team on a post-win locker room call with President Trump, during which all parties on the call laughed at derogatory remarks about excluding the gold medal-winning U.S. women’s ice hockey team from the State of the Union Address.
The decision to provide Air Force transportation was described as both logistical and symbolic. With players scattered across NHL cities in the United States and Canada – many of whom with additional Olympic break commitments making for tight schedules – coordinating travel on short notice could be seen as complex. Military air transport ensured that the team arrived together, reinforcing their presence as a team both on and off of the ice.
GettyGoalie Connor Hellebuyck raises his gold medal as members of the US Men’s Olympic hockey team are recogized by US President Donald Trump as he delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on February 24, 2026.
Players present at The White House, and later at President Trump’s State of the Union Address, described the experience of the Air Force flight taken by the team as a cohesive bonding experience for the men. Several team members shared photos and video clips from aboard the aircraft as they marveled at the rare opportunity to be inside such an iconic airplane.
From Matthew Tkachuk’s IG story. Appears the team is on its way to the State of the Union pic.twitter.com/DhhYZwZQeT
— Evan Sporer (@ev_sporer) February 24, 2026
Matthew Tkachuk posted a snapshot of the team in front of the Boeing 747-200B, which is one of two configured iterations of the aircraft designed for travel by the President of the United States and other officials, on his Instagram story in a photo captured by screenshots from viewers of his IG stories. To note, the aircraft is operated by the Air Force and it is housed – along with the other Boeing 747 – at Joint Base Andrews in Prince George’s County, Maryland, but the plane is only referred to as “Air Force One” when the President is on board.
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Amanda Vining Amanda Vining is a career journalist with over 20 years of experience covering news for digital publications. More about Amanda Vining
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