Connect with us

Entertainment

WATCH: Trump Awards Team USA Goalie The Presidential Medal Of Freedom During SOTU

Published

6 hours ago

on

Towards the beginning of his high energy State Of The Union Address, Trump surprised Team USA men’s hockey goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck by awarding him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

Immediately after Team USA brought home the gold medal for the first time since 1980 on Sunday, President Trump called the victorious team and invited them to the White House. He also invited the team to attend the State Of The Union, an invitation that was also extended to the victorious women’s team as well.

The women’s team declined the invite, though Trump announced during the speech that they would be traveling to the White House in the near future.

Less than 10 minutes into his address, a noticeably energetic Trump quoted one of his original campaign quotes about how his administration would win so much, that supporters would say, “Mr. Preident, we’re tired of winning.”

He added, “And to prove that point, here with us tonight is a group of winners who just made the entire nation proud: the men’s gold medal Olympic hockey team.” The team then made their entrance to a rousing ovation and chants of “USA, USA!”

Trump noted that some congressional Democrats even stood for the event, something they rarely have done during his addresses. “That’s the first time I ever saw them get up! And not even all of them did,” the president observed.

Trump then shocked the building by announcing that Hellebuyck, who plays club hockey for the NFL’s Winnipeg Jets, would be receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

“What a job. What a job you did. And by the way, that goalie — Connor Hellebuyck — 41 saves. Unbelievable. I will soon be presenting Connor with our highest civilian honor, which will be given and which has been given to many athletes over the years,” the president said. “But when I say many, not too many, like 12. It’s called the highest civilian honor in our country, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.”

The team remained standing as the chamber once again erupted into applause and chants of “USA!”

The announcement comes just hours after President Trump met with the team in the Oval Office.

Jack Hughes — who scored the golden goal on Sunday — pushed back on politicized framing of the event by emphasizing patriotism and celebration of the accomplishments of both teams. “Everything is so political. We’re athletes. We’re so proud to represent the U.S., and when you get the chance to go to the White House, meet the president, you know, we’re proud to be Americans, that’s so patriotic,” he told Fox News. “No matter what your views are, we’re super excited to go to the White House and just be part of that.”

Team USA superstar Matthew Tkachuk expressed similar sentiments while speaking with Fox News. “The United States of America, the greatest country in the world deserves this because we’ve been knocking at the door for a long time and we’ve got the game of hockey right now and I’m so honored to be a part of this team,” he said.

Add Trending Politics as your preferred source on Google

Related Topics: