Jack Hughes, the celebrated hockey star from Team USA, has openly criticized the wave of negativity surrounding the Winter Olympics champions’ acceptance of an invitation from Donald Trump to visit the State of the Union and the White House.

The men’s hockey team has come under fire after they engaged in a post-game conversation with Trump following their thrilling 2-1 overtime win against Canada. Hughes, who clinched the winning goal, was part of that interaction.

During the call, Trump humorously remarked that he would face impeachment if he didn’t extend the same invitation to the women’s team, who also secured gold in Milan. This comment was met with hearty laughter from the men’s team.

In contrast, the women’s team announced on Monday that they would not be attending the White House celebrations in Washington, D.C., set for Tuesday, choosing to decline Trump’s invitation.

Speaking to the Daily Mail amidst a lively celebration in Miami on Monday night, Hughes defended their decision, saying, “They’ve got busy schedules, too. Everyone is giving us backlash for all the social media stuff today.”

Hughes expressed his frustration with the criticism, adding, “People are so negative out there and they are just trying to find a reason to put people down and make something out of almost nothing.”

Team USA hockey hero Jack Hughes has slammed ‘negative’ criticism of the gold medalists

The USA women’s team rejected Donald Trump’s invite to join the men in Washington DC

‘Our relationship with them, over the course of being in the Athletes’ Village, I think we are so tight with their group.

‘After we won the gold medal we were in the cafeteria at 3:30am in the morning with them and we go from there, pack our bags and we’re on the bus.

‘People are so negative about things. I think everyone in that locker room knows how much we support them, how proud we are of them and we know the same way we feel about them, they feel about us.’ 

Asked whether they are excited for their trip to meet Trump, Hughes added: ‘Yeah, we’re excited. Everything is so political. We’re athletes. We’re so proud to represent the US and when you get the chance to go to White House and meet the president, we’re proud to be Americans and that’s so patriotic. 

‘No matter what your views are we’re super excited to go to the White House tomorrow and be a part of that.’

When the women’s team turned down Trump’s offer to join their male counterparts, a USA hockey spokesperson was quoted as saying by NBC: ‘We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal–winning U.S. Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement.

‘They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.’

They will not be attending, however, ‘due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments’.

Trump sparked fury by joking he’d ‘be impeached’ if he didn’t invite the women’s team to DC

Hughes scored the winning goal against Canada to end 46 years of hockey hurt for America

Kash Patel was in Milan for Sunday’s final and he headed into the locker room to join in the celebrations, with a video appearing to show the FBI director chugging a beer and partying with the players.

Hughes, who lost a number of his teeth in the game, scored the winning goal in overtime to beat Canada and gave an emotional and patriotic interview moments after clinching gold.

‘This is all about our country right now,’ he said. ‘This is all about our country. I love the USA. I love my teammates… I’m so proud to be an American today.

‘That’s a great Canadian team, but we’re USA, we’re so proud to be Americans, tonight was all for the country.

‘It’s everything, the USA hockey brotherhood means so much, we’re such a team, we’ve been together for two weeks, but we’re such a team. 

‘The USA hockey brotherhood is so strong, and we’re so proud to win for our country.’

The footage caught the attention of vice president JD Vance, who praised Hughes for his message and for also talking despite losing teeth on the ice during the game.

Vance wrote on X: ‘Heart full of pride for his country and a few front teeth gone missing.

‘That’s American hockey right there. Congratulations to Jack and everyone on Team USA for bringing home the gold.’