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U.S. hockey player's mother responds to team's viral call with Trump
Summary
Ellen Hughes said her sons and teammates focus on unity and country after a viral locker-room reaction to a phone call from Donald Trump; USA Hockey said the women's team declined a White House invite, citing scheduling conflicts.
Content
Ellen Hughes spoke publicly after her two sons on the U.S. men's ice hockey team were seen laughing following a phone call from Donald Trump. Hughes played for the U.S. women's squad in the early 1990s and now works as a player development consultant for the women's team. Asked on NBC's "Today" how the president's comments landed, she emphasized that the moment was about the country and the unity players can bring. She also highlighted the "synergy" between the men's and women's squads, noting both went undefeated and each beat Canada 2-1 in overtime on their paths to gold.
Key details:
- Ellen Hughes told NBC the players care about unity, humanity and the country and that fans from different political backgrounds cheered both teams.
- The Hughes brothers and several teammates were recorded laughing after what the article describes as a patronizing joke from Donald Trump about inviting the women's team to the capital.
- USA Hockey announced the women's team declined a White House invitation, citing scheduling conflicts.
- Rapper Flavor Flav publicly invited the U.S. women's team to a future ceremony in Las Vegas, and the article says the team accepted his offer.
- Several members of the men's team posted photos aboard an Air Force jet en route to Washington, and Jack Hughes told the Daily Mail the players were excited and characterized the reaction as political while calling themselves athletes.
- It is unclear whether members of either team will attend a White House ceremony, and any such plans could conflict with the scheduled return of NHL and PWHL play.
Summary:
The exchanges and responses have drawn public attention and prompted discussion about how the men's and women's teams relate to public events and the presidency. Undetermined at this time.