Trump Honors US Men's Hockey Team at State of the Union, Awards Hellebuyck Medal of Freedom

President Trump honored the Olympic gold-winning men's hockey team during his State of the Union.

“Trump's theatrical State of the Union address offers little hint of any change in course Donald Trump delivered a combative State of the Union address on Tuesday night that hailed what he said was an American "turnaround for the ages"”

BBC

It was the first U.S. men's hockey gold since 1980.

BBC

Trump announced he would award goalie Connor Hellebuyck the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The team received a two-minute standing ovation in the House gallery.

Five players opted not to attend due to scheduling and family commitments.

The U.S. women's hockey team declined the State of the Union invitation.

Trump joked he would probably be impeached if he didn't invite the women.

CNN

Trump said the women would soon be coming to the White House.

The contrast highlighted ongoing tensions related to women's sports recognition.

Five players opted not to attend, citing family and schedule.

“President Donald Trump basked in the gold medal glory of the US Olympic men’s hockey team Tuesday, spending roughly six minutes of his State of the Union address celebrating their victory after meeting with the team in the Oval Office earlier in the day”

CNN

The team faced questions about mixing sports with politics.

Trump catered McDonald's at the White House for the team.

This underscored the complex place athletes occupy in national discourse.

Trump used the team as a symbol of American winning amid a midterm election year.

BBC noted the speech was a patriotic rallying cry with theatrical flourishes.

ESPN

The hockey moment provided a rare bipartisan spectacle.

The women's team's absence injected subtle tension.