Jeremy Swayman did not deflect, minimize or dodge the moment.
Instead, the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey goalie acknowledged it head-on.
Speaking in the locker room after Boston Bruins practice on Wednesday, Jeremy Swayman addressed the backlash surrounding a post-Olympics phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, saying the reaction during the exchange did not reflect how the men’s team feels about its counterparts on the U.S. women’s side.
“Yeah, we should have reacted differently,” Swayman said. “We know that we are so excited for the women’s team. 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.”
Owning the Moment After Viral Backlash
The comments came days after video of the call circulated widely online following the 2026 Winter Olympics. During the exchange, Trump congratulated the U.S. men’s team on its gold medal and joked about also needing to invite the women’s team to the White House, adding that he “probably would be impeached” if he did not.
Several players were heard laughing, and the clip quickly spread on social media, drawing criticism from viewers who felt the moment appeared dismissive of the U.S. women’s hockey team, which also captured gold in Milan.
Swayman said the clip failed to capture the reality inside the Olympic Village.
“And you know now that we’re home, we get to share that together forever,” he said. “And see the incredible support that we have from the USA and sharing this incredible gold medal.”
‘Forever Grateful’ to Share Olympic Gold
The U.S. men’s and women’s teams both winning gold marked one of the defining storylines of the Milan Games — a rare double-gold achievement that Swayman said the men’s team took pride in sharing.
“To share that gold medal with them is something that we’re forever grateful for,” he said.
He framed the moment as a lasting bond between the two programs, one he said should not be reduced to a brief exchange after the fact.
Hilary Knight Echoes Message of Unity
Swayman’s comments closely mirrored those made earlier by U.S. women’s hockey captain Hilary Knight, who also sought to cool the reaction and redirect attention back to the relationship between the teams.
Appearing on ESPN’s SportsCenter, Knight said criticism aimed at the men’s team had obscured what she experienced throughout the Olympics.
“I think there’s a genuine level of support there and respect,” Knight said. “I think that’s being overshadowed by a quick lapse.”
Knight said the moment has been taken out of context as the reaction has grown online.
“I think the guys were in a tough spot,” she added, “so I think it’s a shame this storyline and narrative have kind of blown up and are overshadowing that connection and genuine interest in one another and cheering each other on.”
Knight Criticized Trump Joke
Knight has also addressed Trump’s remark directly, calling it a distraction from women’s achievements at the Games.
“I thought it was sort of a distasteful joke,” Knight said on SportsCenter. “And unfortunately, that is overshadowing a lot of the success, the success of just women at the Olympics carrying for Team USA and having amazing gold medal feats.”
She later added that the women’s team preferred to keep the focus on accomplishments rather than controversy.
“We’re just focusing 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 — and really not detract from that with a distasteful joke,” Knight said.
State of the Union Visit ‘An Incredible Honor’
Swayman also addressed the men’s team attending Trump’s State of the Union address in Washington, a decision that added to the scrutiny after the women’s team declined an invitation due to scheduling conflicts.
“It was an incredible honor,” Swayman said. “We were all there to represent our country. Celebrated gold medal for the United States, and that was something that we really embodied, and we’re really grateful to be a part of.”
Jeremy Swayman Responds to Backlash After Controversial Donald Trump Phone Call