Retired soccer star Megan Rapinoe couldn’t let America’s gold medal-winning men’s ice hockey team enjoy their victory without injecting her political grievances, attacking the athletes for celebrating with President Trump after their 2-1 triumph over Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Story Snapshot
- Rapinoe criticized the U.S. men’s hockey team on her podcast for taking a celebratory FaceTime call from President Trump following their Olympic gold medal win
- The retired USWNT captain accused Trump of co-opting the team’s achievement for political gain and questioned the players’ judgment for associating with Trump and FBI Director Kash Patel
- A leaked video showed Trump joking about being “forced” to invite the women’s hockey team, sparking social media backlash that Rapinoe amplified
- The controversy mirrors Rapinoe’s own history of boycotting the White House during Trump’s first term, revealing a pattern of injecting politics into sports celebrations
Rapinoe’s Podcast Attack on Gold Medalists
Megan Rapinoe used her podcast “A Touch More” with partner Sue Bird to blast the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team for their post-victory celebration with President Trump. After the team’s hard-fought 2-1 gold medal win over Canada, a leaked FaceTime video captured Trump congratulating the players and joking about being “forced” to invite the women’s hockey team. Rather than celebrating American excellence, Rapinoe accused Trump of exploiting the moment, stating “He’s using you… why don’t you respect yourself enough?” Her comments dismissed what the athletes themselves called a “childhood fairy tale” achievement.
Misery Loves Company: Rapinoe Dumps on Olympic Glory to Remind Everyone She's Still Here https://t.co/m71Hs1tq2q
— Twitchy Updates (@Twitchy_Updates) February 27, 2026
History of Political Grandstanding Repeats Itself
Rapinoe’s criticism stems from her own confrontational history with Trump during his first administration. The USWNT declined a White House visit after their World Cup victory, with Rapinoe becoming the face of athlete activism against conservative values. She famously knelt during the national anthem in 2016, following Colin Kaepernick’s divisive protests. Now retired, Rapinoe appears unable to resist the spotlight, using Olympic athletes’ success as a vehicle to resurrect her political complaints. One hockey player admitted regretting his reaction to Trump’s joke, but the team’s genuine celebration moment was overshadowed by Rapinoe’s intervention.
Trump Celebrates American Victory While Critics Complain
President Trump’s congratulatory call to the gold medal-winning hockey team represents a traditional presidential acknowledgment of American athletic achievement. The leaked video showed Trump’s lighthearted humor and FBI Director Kash Patel celebrating with the victorious athletes. While Rapinoe framed this as political co-optation, conservative Americans recognize it as appropriate presidential support for Team USA. The fact that at least one player expressed regret over the manufactured controversy demonstrates how progressive activists like Rapinoe inject unnecessary politics into patriotic moments. Trump’s joke about the women’s team was clearly tongue-in-cheek, yet Rapinoe weaponized it to revive her fading relevance.
Broader Pattern of Leftist Olympic Politicization
The 2026 Winter Olympics witnessed multiple instances of progressive athletes using their platforms to attack conservative values and America itself. Skier River Jessup and figure skater Amber Glenn made political statements criticizing U.S. policies, with Glenn specifically pushing LGBTQ agendas. These actions drew appropriate criticism from Trump, Vice President Vance, and other conservative voices who recognize that international competition should celebrate national unity, not division. Rapinoe’s hockey team commentary fits this troubling pattern where leftist activists refuse to let American victories stand without political commentary. Her inability to allow young athletes their moment reveals the self-centered nature of progressive activism.
Why This Matters for Conservative Americans
Rapinoe’s attack on the hockey team exemplifies how the left weaponizes sports to advance political agendas while condemning conservatives for the same behavior. Conservative Americans who support our troops, respect our flag, and celebrate national achievements see through this hypocrisy. These gold medal winners earned their moment of glory through dedication and sacrifice, not to serve as pawns in Rapinoe’s ongoing feud with President Trump. The incident also highlights how progressive voices demand athletes “stick to sports” only when conservative views emerge, while celebrating leftist political statements. For families who value patriotism and athletic excellence over woke grandstanding, Rapinoe’s commentary represents everything wrong with modern sports activism.
Sources:
Megan Rapinoe claims Donald Trump ulterior motive with Team USA hockey – The Express
US Olympians are woke. Deal with it – Public Notice
