The USA Men’s Hockey Team is facing backlash after a MAGA hat at the White House

But amid the praise, the team faced some backlash on social media.

Jack Hughes poses for a photo with members of Team USA, Tuesday, February 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt American hockey players were among those welcomed into the administration ahead of their visit with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.

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Leavitt shared a photo on social media with Deputy Director of Communications, Margo Martin, and several members of Team USA. The photo included Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman, Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, Jack and Quinn Hughes, and Buffalo Sabers forward Taj Thompson.

The Hughes brothers wore red and white American caps, while Thompson wore a “Make America Great Again” hat, sparking widespread backlash on social media.

“How embarrassing,” one person wrote on X in a post sharing the photo. Another person responded and called Thompson “despicable” for wearing it You act.

That person later added in another post: “From here to zero in record time.”

Carolyn Leavitt shared a photo on social media with Deputy Director of Communications, Margo Martin, and several members of Team USA. The photo included Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman, Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, Jack and Quinn Hughes, and Buffalo Sabers forward Taj Thompson. The Hughes brothers wore red and white American caps, while Thompson wore a “Make America Great Again” hat, sparking widespread backlash on social media. (Caroline Levitt via Instagram)

Thompson has faced criticism, especially on social media. On his Instagram page, critics flocked to comments on his latest post to criticize him for wearing a MAGA hat.

“Your actions speak louder than any cheap words you will always spew for damage control,” one comment read. “We will remember you as the losers you are.”

“Fucking shame,” read another post.

“The MAGA hat is disgraceful. You should be ashamed. We will never forget. You are a red hat. Disgusting.”

Gold medalists on the USA Men’s National Hockey Team have drawn the wrath of liberal pundits and news organizations even as they captivated the nation with their Olympic achievement. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

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Trump invited the men’s and women’s gold medal teams to the White House and extended the invitation to deliver the State of the Union address, however The women’s team refusedCiting a scheduling conflict.

In a video of the president’s phone call with the men’s team immediately after his victory, Trump said he “would have to” invite the women’s team, otherwise he would “probably get impeached.” The players laughed in response to Trump’s joke, sparking violent reactions on social media.

Trump said during his speech on Tuesday that the women’s gold medal team would make a trip to the White House, but he did not say when.

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