Hilary Knight, captain of the US women’s ice hockey team, criticized Donald Trump’s remarks about the team following their Winter Olympics gold medal win. Knight described the president’s comment as a “distasteful joke” during an appearance on SportsCenter. After the US men’s hockey team secured gold, Trump called into their locker room and invited them to the State of the Union address. He added, “We’re going to have to bring the women’s team… I do believe I probably would be impeached [if the women’s team wasn’t invited].” Video clips of men’s players laughing went viral. Knight, a five-time Olympic medalist and one of the most decorated women in hockey history, said the joke overshadowed the women’s accomplishments. She emphasized celebrating the team’s three Olympic golds and the rare double gold achievement for both men’s and women’s teams at the same Games. “It’s overshadowing the success of just women at the Olympics carrying for Team USA and having amazing gold medal feats,” Knight said. “We’re focusing on celebrating the women in our room and the extraordinary efforts without detracting from that with a distasteful joke.” Jack Hughes, who scored the game-winning goal for the men’s team, attempted to ease tensions during a Good Morning America interview. “Everyone in that locker room knows how much we support [the women’s team], how proud we are of them. The same way we feel about them, they feel about us,” he said. Knight stressed that the strong bond between the men’s and women’s teams had been overshadowed by controversy. “I think the guys were in a tough spot,” she said. “It’s a shame this storyline has blown up and overshadowed that genuine connection.” Two-time Olympic gold medalist Kelly Pannek echoed Knight, highlighting the support between teams. “Being there, we felt their support throughout the tournament. The phone call specifically is not surprising,” Pannek said at a Minnesota Frost media event. US goaltender Jeremy Swayman admitted the team could have reacted differently to Trump’s comments. “We have so much respect for the women’s team. To share that gold medal with them is something we’re forever grateful for,” he said. While 20 members of the men’s team visited the White House and attended the State of the Union, the women’s team declined, citing academic and professional commitments. Trump promised they would visit the Oval Office “soon,” but USA Hockey has not confirmed plans. At the Milano Cortina Olympics, Knight recorded three goals and three assists in seven games, capping what she announced will be the final tournament of her career. She holds the record for the most Olympic goals (15) and points (33) among all American hockey players. “This is a learning point about how we talk about women, not only in sport but in industry,” Knight said. “Women aren’t less than. Our achievements shouldn’t be overshadowed by anything else other than how great they are.”