Donald Trump Honors U.S. Winter Olympians At White House: ‘Greatest Group’
· Yahoo Sports
Donald Trump marked America’s success at the 2026 Winter Games with a White House gathering for Olympians and Paralympians on Thursday. The event brought together athletes, coaches, and officials after the U.S. delegation returned from Italy with 57 medals.
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Trump reserved special praise for speedskater Jordan Stolz, marveling at both his record-setting Olympic performance and his “very strong legs.”
U.S. Olympians And Paralympians Visit Trump At The White HousePresident Donald Trump welcomed dozens of U.S. Winter Olympians and Paralympians to the White House on Thursday, celebrating Team USA’s showing at the 2026 Milano Cortina Games. The U.S. contingent sent 300 athletes to this year’s Winter Olympics and Paralympics and collected 57 medals.
“Today, we’re truly honored to welcome to the White House perhaps the greatest group of Winter Olympians in American history,” Trump told the athletes, per AP News.
The commander-in-chief received a Team USA jacket and sneakers during the celebration. He also promised the athletes special coins and invited them to tour the Oval Office afterward. The gathering was initially planned for the patio area near the Rose Garden but was moved inside because of heavy rain.
How U.S. Women’s Hockey Team Stunned Canada For Gold
Yuri Gripas – Pool via CNP / MEGAAnother major American triumph at Milano Cortina came courtesy of the U.S. women’s hockey team, which snatched gold from longtime rival Canada in dramatic fashion. The Americans were staring at a 1-0 defeat when captain Hilary Knight redirected Laila Edwards’ shot into the net with just 2:04 remaining in regulation.
That late equalizer sent the championship game into 3-on-3 overtime, where Megan Keller completed the comeback. She surged toward goal and beat Canadian goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens 4:07 into the extra period to seal a 2-1 victory. “I’m lost for words,” Keller said afterward. “This is an incredible feeling.”
Thursday’s White House attendees Abbey Murphy and Joy Dunne were both members of the victorious American squad.
Donald Trump Marvels At Jordan Stolz’s ‘Very Strong Legs’
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGAIn his speech, Trump also singled out speedskater Jordan Stolz, the most decorated American Olympian at the 2026 Games, for special praise.
The president highlighted the 21-year-old during Thursday’s White House celebration, calling him the “single-most decorated American Olympian” of the Games. He also seemed quite impressed by Stolz’s physique, according to ESPN.
“Legs. Strong legs. Very strong legs,” Trump said, before joking, “How do I get my legs to look like that?”
Stolz earned the attention with a dominant Olympic showing. He won gold in the 1,000 meters with a time of 1 minute, 6.28 seconds, breaking an Olympic record that had stood since 2002. He then claimed another gold in the 500 meters before adding silver in the 1,500.
Trump’s Women’s Sports Remark Draws Muted Reaction
Graeme Sloan – Pool via CNP / MEGAThe celebratory mood appeared to cool somewhat when Trump briefly ventured into one of his familiar political talking points. “We’ve done a lot to help save women’s sports,” he told the athletes, a remark that drew what the Associated Press described as a muted reaction from some of those gathered.
Politics otherwise remained largely on the sidelines during Thursday’s reception. Trump focused most of his remarks on the Olympians and Paralympians and their accomplishments.
However, he also turned his attention to college athletics. The president claimed his administration was “saving college sports” and urged Congress to approve legislation changing how they are governed. “We’re doing everything we can to protect the cherished sporting traditions that have long been part of our nation from the beginning,” Trump said.
Donald Trump Has Made Trans Athletes A Major Sports Issue
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGATrump’s White House comment also comes against the backdrop of his administration’s push to restrict transgender women and girls from competing in female sports.
In February 2025, the president signed an executive order directing federal agencies to enforce his administration’s interpretation of Title IX on the issue. The move also called for federal funding consequences for schools that did not comply.
The NCAA responded the following day by changing its transgender athlete participation policy. Under the revised rules, athletes assigned male at birth cannot compete on NCAA women’s teams, although they may practice with those teams and receive other benefits available to student-athletes.
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