Trump Salutes Olympic Hockey Heroes, Invites Them to State of the Union

President Donald Trump made a congratulatory phone call to the United States men's hockey team after their dramatic win over Canada in the Olympic gold medal game on Sunday afternoon, praising what he called an "unbelievable" performance and inviting the players to Washington DC this week.

The US president addressed the team by speakerphone shortly after their 2-1 overtime victory, telling them they had delivered a moment the country would remember for decades.

Trump's call came as the FBI director Kash Patel joined the locker-room revelry in Milan, where the gold medal match took place. However, the US women's hockey team turned down the invitation, citing previous commitments.

The president's outreach to the Olympic champions is seen as a strategic move to capitalize on the team's success and rally public support ahead of the upcoming State of the Union address. By inviting the heroes to the national stage, Trump hopes to generate excitement and patriotic fervor among his base.

The US men's hockey team's victory was a defining moment in the Winter Games, as they toppled their longtime rivals Canada in a thrilling overtime finish. The team's grit, determination, and teamwork captivated fans across the country, making them ideal ambassadors for the administration's messaging.

While the US women's hockey team declined the invitation due to prior commitments, the president's outreach to the male champions underscores his desire to showcase American athletic prowess and bipartisan unity in the lead-up to his State of the Union address.

The move is part of a broader strategy to leverage high-profile sports events and personalities to bolster the president's image and political agenda. By aligning himself with the heroic exploits of the Olympic hockey team, Trump hopes to project an aura of American exceptionalism and strengthen his connection with the nation's sports-loving electorate.