US President Donald Trump has come under fire over a misogynistic joke at the expense of the US women's ice hockey team following their recent victory at the Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina.
Three members of the women's team have spoken out after Trump had a call with the men's team, who also won a gold medal at the Olympics, on Sunday. During the chat, the president joked he'd be forced to invite the women's team to the White House as well as the men's or risk impeachment, as members of the men's team laughed at the jibe.
“I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that,” Trump said with a chuckle during the call while members of the men's team were seen drinking beer in a locker room with FBI director Kash Patel. If he didn't, Trump joked he would face impeachment.
Earlier this week, most of the men’s team attended a meeting with Trump at the White House, and several stayed for the president’s State of the Union (SOTU) address to Congress on Tuesday evening. The women’s team initially declined the president’s SOTU offer, citing existing commitments. However, Trump said during his address that the team would visit the White House 'soon', though the team hasn't publicly confirmed whether they'll meet with the president.
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In the aftermath of Trump's sexist joke, the women's hockey team captain Hilary Knight, called out the remark, saying women 'aren't less than'.
The hockey star slammed the joke as 'distasteful' though she conceded that the men’s team was 'in a tough spot,' she told ESPN.
"Unfortunately, that is overshadowing a lot of the success of women at the Olympics carrying for team USA and having amazing gold medal feats," Knight, who also leads the Seattle Torrent team, said.
"We're just trying to focus on celebrating the women in our room, the extraordinary efforts, and continue to celebrate three gold medals in program history as well as the double gold for both men's and women's at the same time."
Addressing the men's team reaction to the joke, Knight said there is 'a genuine level of support and respect' that is being 'overshadowed' by what she described as a 'quick lapse'.
"I think the guys were in a tough spot, so I think it's a shame this storyline and narrative has kind of blown up and overshadowing that connection and genuine interest in one another and cheering each other on," she said.
“I think this is just a really good learning point to really focus on, you know, how we talk about women,” Knight continued. “Not only in sport, but in industry. Women aren’t less than, and our achievements shouldn’t be overshadowed by anything else other than how great they are.”
Knight's teammate Hayley Scamurra, a forward for the Montréal Victoire, said on The Hockey Lifers podcast on Tuesday that the call 'was what it was'. But, she said it was drowned out by the 'outpouring of love and support' the team has received.
Hockey two-time medalist Kelly Pannek, a forward for the Minnesota Frost, shared a similar sentiment in interviews with reporters following the team's big win.
“With the phone call specifically, it's not surprising, to be frank," Pannek told reporters. "So I don't know why we expect differently, but I think for us, it's also just about getting back to the focus on our team and what our team accomplished."
“The video is what it is, you’d have to ask them their feelings on it,” she added.
As hockey fans are calling the men's team to apologise for the incident, Team USA player and Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman admitted they 'should’ve reacted differently' speaking with reporters on Wednesday.
“We know that we are so excited for the women’s team,” he added (via New York Post Sports). “We have so much respect for the women’s team, and to share that gold medal with them is something that we’re forever grateful for.”
Topics: Donald Trump, Olympics, Sport
Stefania Sarrubba