January 1, RECORD-BREAKING Victory: Team USA Athletes Storm White House

Wyatt’s Take

• President Trump honored over 120 Winter Olympians and Paralympians at the White House after Team USA brought home a historic medal haul from Italy
• American athletes delivered the most gold medals ever won in a single Winter Olympics — 12 total — plus 24 Paralympic medals including a fifth straight sled hockey championship
• Trump personally recognized the men’s and women’s hockey teams that beat Canada in overtime, plus standout athletes from across all winter sports disciplines

President Donald Trump welcomed more than 120 Team USA Winter Olympians and Paralympians to the White House Thursday to celebrate what he called one of the greatest performances in American sports history. The athletes brought home 57 total medals from the Milano Cortina Games earlier this year.

The 300 athletes representing the Stars and Stripes secured 12 gold medals — the most ever won by Team USA in a single Winter Olympics. It was also the most total medals (33) ever won by American athletes in a Winter Olympics held outside North America.

Another 72 Paralympians competed across all five sports, bringing back 24 medals to the United States. That haul included 13 gold medals, with the sled hockey team securing their fifth straight championship.

“Paralympians bring home their fifth straight gold medal in sled hockey, extending one of the greatest dynasties in all of international sports and it’s amazing what you’ve done. Nobody’s ever done anything like it,” Trump said.

The president made sure to highlight both the men’s and women’s Olympic hockey squads, who both defeated Canada in overtime thrillers that had the entire nation watching.

“The 2026 men’s Olympic hockey team. We celebrated together and it was really an incredible time. The women’s team and the men’s team — it was just incredible,” Trump said.

“We can’t forget and never would — and nobody would have the courage to forget either because they are amazing. The history-making women’s hockey team. This team left everything on the ice.”

Trump had previously invited members of the men’s Olympic hockey team to his State of the Union address just days after their gold medal victory. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck received the Presidential Medal of Freedom earlier that same day.

Following the Milano Cortina Games, Trump called the men’s team and joked he would be “impeached” if he didn’t invite the women’s team to the White House as well. USA Hockey later released a statement explaining that while the athletes were grateful for the invitation, their active college and professional schedules made attendance at a separate event impossible at that time.

But forwards Joy Dunne and Abbey Murphy were both among the Olympians and Paralympians standing behind Trump on Thursday at the White House. He took time during his speech to personally recognize both women for their contributions to Team USA’s success.

After congratulating every member of Team USA in his remarks, Trump was presented with a Team USA varsity jacket and a new pair of shoes as mementos of the historic performance.

Athletes who couldn’t attend Thursday’s celebration are already back in training for the 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which will be held in the French Alps. In 2034, Salt Lake City will host the Winter Games on American soil — a fact Trump made sure to emphasize during his speech.

Wyatt Matters

This is what winning looks like when Americans compete on the world stage with pride in their country. These athletes didn’t kneel, didn’t protest, didn’t lecture us about politics — they just went out and dominated for the red, white, and blue. That’s the American spirit that built this nation, and it’s alive and well in our Olympic champions. While other countries talk about participation trophies, our athletes bring home gold.