Early in his high-energy State of the Union address, President Trump surprised Team USA men’s hockey goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck by announcing he would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Team USA had just captured the Olympic gold for the first time since 1980 and the president invited both the men’s and women’s teams to the White House and to attend the State of the Union.
The women’s team declined the invitation, though Trump said they would visit the White House in the near future.
Less than 10 minutes into his speech, a noticeably energetic Trump invoked his campaign line about winning so much that supporters would say they were “tired of winning.”
Champions celebrated
Trump then introduced the men’s gold medal Olympic hockey team to rousing ovations and chants of “USA, USA!”
The president noted that some congressional Democrats even stood for the moment, saying it was the first time he had seen them get up and that not all of them did.
🚨 BREAKING: President Trump just introduced the men’s US hockey team to MASSIVE chants of “USA! USA!” in the chamber
These legends are being welcomed as HEROES!
“The men who just made our ENTIRE COUNTRY PROUD: the men’s US hockey team!”
And 47 made fun of many of the… pic.twitter.com/vaN1cCcHtb
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) February 25, 2026
Trump shocked the chamber by announcing that Hellebuyck would be receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
“What a job.”
“What a job you did.”
“And by the way, that goalie — Connor Hellebuyck — 41 saves.”
“Unbelievable.”
“I will soon be presenting Connor with our highest civilian honor, which will be given and which has been given to many athletes over the years,” the president said.
“But when I say many, not too many, like 12.”
“It’s called the highest civilian honor in our country, the Presidential Medal of Freedom,” he added.
🚨 BREAKING: President Trump awards Team USA Hockey Goalie Connor Hellebuyck the PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM — America’s highest civilian honor
Wow!
Well-deserved! 🇺🇸pic.twitter.com/TCTWfwfAg2
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) February 25, 2026
The announcement followed a meeting between President Trump and the team in the Oval Office hours earlier.
Jack Hughes, who scored the golden goal, pushed back against politicized framing and emphasized patriotism and pride in representing the United States.
“Everything is so political. We’re athletes. 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,” he told Fox News.
Team USA star Matthew Tkachuk expressed similar pride and called the United States the greatest country in the world while speaking with Fox News.
