Jennifer Siebel Newsom, wife of California Governor Gavin Newsom, has cheered on the U.S. women’s ice hockey team for declining President Donald Trump’s invitation to the State of the Union address.
“Clearly they prefer arenas where women are actually respected! As they should,” Siebel Newsom wrote on X Monday.
The U.S. women’s ice hockey team brought home a gold medal last Thursday after a stunning 2-1 victory against Canada in the final at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. While the White House shared a message celebrating their victory, the president did not publish a congratulatory post on his personal social media profiles.
He did so, however, for the U.S. men’s ice hockey team, who won the final against Canada on Sunday afternoon and broke an Olympic gold medal dry spell that, for the team, that had lasted 46 years. He also called them on the same day, inviting them to attend the State of the Union address and later visit him at the White House.
“We’ll just have some fun. We have medals for you guys,” Trump said in the phone call, which was mediated by FBI Director Kash Patel.
“And we have to—I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team. You do know that,” he added, laughing. “I do believe I probably would be impeached [if the women’s team wasn’t invited], OK?”
The U.S. women’s ice hockey team declined the invite, citing scheduling commitments. In a statement shared with Newsweek, a USA Hockey spokesperson said: “We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal–winning U.S. Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement.
“Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate. They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
