AceShowbiz - Megan Rapinoe strongly criticized the U.S. men’s hockey team following their Olympic victory, calling the players “clowns” for their decision to visit President Donald Trump at the White House. She argued that the visit overshadowed their historic achievement and tarnished their moment of triumph.

Speaking on her podcast with her wife, WNBA star Sue Bird, Rapinoe described the White House trip as a “classic ripping defeat from the jaws of victory.” She emphasized that the team’s once-in-a-lifetime accomplishment was undermined by their choice to be publicly associated with Trump.

“The United States men’s hockey team, in their utter moment of glory, childhood dreams come true, once in a lifetime accomplishment, sensational, ruined it for themselves,” Rapinoe said. She added, “Because they allowed themselves to be totally co-opted by a clown. And now you’re a clown. You look like a clown.”

Rapinoe referenced Trump’s dismissive locker room joke during a call with the men’s team, in which he said he would now have to invite the U.S. women’s hockey team as well so he wouldn’t get impeached. The women’s team also won gold at the 2026 Winter Games.

“I don’t understand the funny part of the joke,” she said. “Why don’t you respect yourself more than to have that moment be taken by someone for no reason at all, take a huge swing and a jab at women who did the exact same thing you did?”

Rapinoe also recalled her own 2019 stance when she refused to visit the White House after the U.S. Women’s National Team won the FIFA World Cup, noting they likely wouldn’t have been invited anyway. Trump had responded by telling her to “WIN first before she TALKS!” The women’s team ultimately skipped the White House visit.

Sue Bird, a four-time WNBA champion, expressed her disappointment that members of the men’s hockey team laughed at Trump’s joke, especially considering the strong support athletes showed each other during the Olympics. She shared sympathy for the women’s hockey team, saying, “I actually feel bad for the women’s hockey team.”

This episode highlights ongoing tensions surrounding athletes’ interactions with political figures and the impact on their public image following major sports victories.