Trump's Light-Hearted Medal Moment with Olympic Hockey Champions
In a playful Oval Office encounter on Tuesday, former President Donald Trump hosted the triumphant U.S. men's ice hockey team, fresh from their gold medal victory at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. The meeting took a humorous turn when Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk offered Trump his hard-earned medal to try on.
A Viral Exchange with Olympic Gold
"Yeah, I'll put it on. Absolutely. I'm not giving it back," Trump quipped, showcasing his characteristic bling fascination. He added with a smile, "Hey, that's cool. I never thought I'd ever have this on me." The entire interaction was captured on video and swiftly shared across social media platforms.
The footage, posted by Trump White House communications adviser Margo Martin, rapidly gained viral traction online. This occurred against a backdrop of ongoing debate regarding Trump's previous controversial statements about the U.S. women's hockey team, which also secured gold at the same Olympic Games in Italy.
A Pattern of Trophy-Related Humor
This incident is not an isolated one in Trump's history of making similar trophy- and medal-keeping jokes. He has previously engaged in lighthearted banter about athletic achievements and prestigious awards.
- In a notable instance, Trump joked about being able to "say I won them athletically" after receiving a set of official 1984 Olympic medals from Casey Wasserman, chair of the Los Angeles 2028 organizing committee. Wasserman has faced scrutiny for connections to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
- Trump has also inquired with FIFA President Gianni Infantino about the possibility of keeping the World Cup trophy.
- He accepted the 24-karat gold-plated trophy originally intended for English soccer team Chelsea following their Club World Cup victory.
- Additionally, Trump received the Nobel Peace Prize that was meant for Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado.
Beyond these instances, Trump's collection of unusual honors includes being awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize and receiving the title of "Undisputed Champion of Beautiful Clean Coal" from The Washington Coal Club. These episodes collectively highlight his unique relationship with symbols of achievement and recognition throughout his public life.
