Team USA women’s hockey star Hilary Knight slams Donald Trump over distasteful joke as Jeremy Swayman shares regret

Hilary Knight did not stay silent. The Team USA women’s hockey captain said President Donald Trump’s locker room joke about inviting the women to the White House was “distasteful and unfortunate.

” She spoke on Wednesday at the Seattle Space Needle while standing with Alex Carpenter, Hannah Bilka, and Cayla Barnes before returning to play for the Seattle Torrent in the Professional Women’s Hockey League. The comment came after the U.S. men’s team beat Canada in overtime to win Olympic gold. On speakerphone in the locker room, Donald Trump congratulated the men and invited them to the White House. Then he added, “We’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that,” and joked that he would be impeached if he did not invite them.

Many men’s players were seen laughing in the viral video. But Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman later admitted, “We should’ve reacted differently.” The moment quickly turned into a national talking point, even as both teams celebrated historic success at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.

Hilary Knight and Jeremy Swayman respond as Team USA balances controversy and Olympic gold

Hilary Knight, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and Team USA’s all-time Olympic points leader with 15 goals and 33 points, said the focus should stay on what the women achieved.

“I just thought the joke was distasteful and unfortunate,” she said. She added, “Women should be championed for their amazing feats.”Jeremy Swayman, who played one Olympic game and allowed three goals in a win over Denmark, told reporters in Boston, “We have so much respect for the women’s team.” He explained that the men and women are “tight” and share real support. New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes also said there is a strong bond between both squads.USA Hockey said it was “honored” by the White House invite. The women did not attend because of travel changes caused by a snowstorm in the Northeast. The team had to reroute through Atlanta, and planned stops in New York, including ringing the bell at the New York Stock Exchange, were canceled.On the ice, the results were clear. The U.S. women outscored opponents 33-2 and helped the country win 12 gold medals in Milan Cortina, with women contributing to eight of them. “The men’s and the women’s team did it together,” Knight said. “That’s super special.”