BOSTON — U.S. Olympic goaltender Jeremy Swayman said he believes the men’s hockey team should not have laughed along when Donald Trump joked about having to invite the U.S. women’s hockey team to the State of the Union address.

Speaking to reporters following a team appearance, Swayman acknowledged that the moment — which drew chuckles from some players — did not sit well with him in retrospect.

“I don’t think that was something we should’ve laughed at,” Swayman said. “The women’s team deserves respect for what they’ve accomplished.”

Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman, who won a gold medal with the U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team, reacts to the negative reaction surrounding President Donald Trump’s joke about the women’s team.X

The Comment in Question

During remarks recognizing the men’s Olympic gold-medal win, Trump quipped about inviting the women’s national team as well, a comment that was met with laughter from portions of the room. Critics later argued the joke downplayed the achievements of the women’s program, which has historically been one of the most successful in international competition.

The United States women’s national ice hockey team has captured multiple Olympic gold medals and remains a dominant force in the sport.

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Caroline Harvey #4, Hilary Knight #21, Kirsten Simms #9, Laila Edwards #10 and Ava McNaughton #30 of Team United States celebrate with team staffs after the medal ceremony for the Ice Hockey Women following the Women’s Gold Medal match against Canada at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 19, 2026 in Milan, Italy.

Standing Up for Teammates

Swayman emphasized that his comments were not meant to create division but to affirm support for fellow athletes.

“They’ve paved the way for hockey in this country,” he said. “We’re all representing the same crest.”

Other members of the United States men’s national ice hockey team have not publicly addressed the moment. Team officials declined to comment.

President Donald Trump pauses after delivering the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, February 24, 2026.

Broader Reaction

The exchange has fueled broader conversations about gender equity in sports and the optics of political ceremonies involving championship teams. While White House visits are traditionally celebratory and nonpartisan, they have increasingly become flashpoints in recent years.

For Swayman, the takeaway was simple: respect across programs matters.

“We win together,” he said. “That’s what it’s about.”