Arguably one of the most stirring moments during the 2026 State of the Union address was when President Trump welcomed the U.S. men’s hockey team. Their 2-1 win over Canada in the finals of the Winter Olympics was a highlight of the games and a moment of national pride. But Whoopi Goldberg and her co-hosts on The View criticized the president for giving the team special honors.
A Moment of Celebration Meets Criticism
During his Tuesday night speech, Trump introduced the U.S. men’s hockey team, saying “Here with us tonight is a group of winners who just made the entire nation proud: the men’s gold medal Olympic hockey team.” The 2026 Winter Olympics marked the first time the first time the U.S. had won gold since 1980. Trump framed the moment as a celebration of national pride—not about himself—and simply stated a feeling shared by many Americans.
President Trump deliver the 2026 State of the Union Address – Fox News, YouTube
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The following morning, the hosts of The View discussed the speech. Joy Behar, after mentioning Trump’s remarks on immigration, said, “I watched the whole thing, and I was physically ill from it and more nauseous than usual watching him.”
She added, “What’s worse than him are the sycophants and the acolytes who are praising him and going along with him. I’m dismissing him because he’s not well. The man is not well. His narcissistic disorder is off the charts.”
Joy Behar on The View – YouTube, The View
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Goldberg took the opportunity to criticize Trump for only inviting the men’s hockey team. “You know what, he’s also insanely rude, because a lot of people won gold for the U.S., a lot of people won gold. I’m sorry,” she said. The U.S. women’s hockey team also won the gold medal against Canada, leading Goldberg to suggest that “the women’s hockey team and the women—and the young skater who comes from [an] immigrant family” should also have been invited and were not.
What Actually Happened
In reality, Trump had extended an invitation to the women’s team. When he called to congratulate the men’s team and invite them to Washington, he told them, “I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that?” He went on to joke that if he did not, “I do believe I probably would be impeached.”
Donald Trump clasps hands with Sylvester Stallone – YouTube, SkyNews Australia
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However, the women’s hockey team declined an invitation from Trump—a fact Goldberg seemed to have missed. A spokesperson for the team said in a statement, “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. Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate. They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.”
A Broader Pattern
Neither Trump nor the White House has responded to Goldberg’s criticism. However, the issue underlines how gestures intended to celebrate moments of unity can become divisive when filtered through political suspicion. Both the men’s and women’s hockey teams had historic wins and are a source of national pride.
Arnold Schwarzenegger sits with the cast of The View – YouTube, The View
The fact that the women’s team was invited may not be the core issue. Perhaps the larger takeaway is how quickly narratives of exclusion take hold — even when the intent is unity. In a media environment conditioned for conflict, even a shared Olympic victory can be reframed as controversy.
What do you think of Whoopi Goldberg’s comments? Sound off below!
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Fat old harridans are so well qualified to discuss sport. (Or politics, come to that. They should stick to bingo, astrology and pimping for Disney execs).
The men accepted the invitation. The women declined. Guess who is more leftist.
We all know regardless of what Trump did …they would have found issue.
The same Whoopi who’s in the Epstein Files?