Hilary Knight Allegedly Says Team Would Reject Trump 'Even If He Sent a Military Plane'

Following their gold medal victory at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, the United States women's ice hockey team became the subject of a viral controversy after an AI-generated video falsely attributed remarks to captain Hilary Knight.

The clip, which began circulating on TikTok and Instagram on 25 February 2026, appeared to show Knight rejecting a White House invitation. In the video, a voice resembling hers claimed the team would refuse to attend 'even if the White House offered to send a military plane to pick us up.'

The footage quickly gained traction online, presenting the decision as a pointed political protest and tapping into broader debates about Olympic celebrations and political engagement. However, fact-checking sites like Snopes have confirmed the video was fabricated using artificial intelligence, and Knight did not record the message.

'Blood and Sweat' Allegations

The AI-generated TikTok video appeared convincing because of its detailed script and tone. It suggested the team's decision was about more than scheduling, stating that the gold medal was being used as a political tool.

The fabricated audio referenced a widely shared phone call between President Donald Trump and the US men's ice hockey team, during which he joked that he would 'probably be impeached' if he did not invite the women's team. It also claimed unequal treatment between the men's and women's programmes, asserting that the men had received preferential recognition and travel arrangements.

Although the clip resonated with many social media users, there is no evidence Knight ever made the comments, and the narrative has been widely debunked.

Context of the Backlash

The viral interest in the fake video was driven by a real event earlier in the week that had already attracted attention. During a congratulatory call to the US men's team after their 2-1 overtime win against Canada, Trump extended an invitation to visit the White House and the State of the Union address. The invitation was relayed via FBI Director Kash Patel, and Trump said the women's team would also need to be invited, or he 'would be impeached.' A number of players laughed on the call, prompting criticism online that the moment was dismissive or insensitive.

The women's team then formally declined the invitation, citing academic and professional commitments as the reason for their absence from the event. USA Hockey said the team was 'honoured and grateful' for the invitation but unable to attend due to their schedule.

Knight's Actual Response

Knight addressed the situation during an appearance on ESPN's SportsCenter on 25 February, making clear that her actual views differed sharply from those in the AI-generated clip. She described Trump's 'impeachment' joke as 'distasteful' and said it had distracted from the team's accomplishment on the ice.

'I think the guys were in a tough spot,' Knight said, stressing that the men's and women's teams had supported each other throughout the tournament. She added that it was 'a shame' the narrative around the exchange had overshadowed their achievements and camaraderie.

Knight then emphasised that the team's focus remained on hockey and their ongoing commitments. By clarifying her position, she sought to redirect public attention back to the sport and the team's Olympic success.

Broader Reactions and Aftermath

The incident has highlighted broader conversations about how digital misinformation can spread rapidly in politically sensitive contexts. Other members of Team USA have also addressed the situation. For example, men's team forward Jack Hughes said negative reactions to the phone call had been overblown and pointed to the strong relationship between the men's and women's programmes.

Meanwhile, players have received positive recognition beyond official events. Rapper Flavor Flav announced a celebratory weekend in Las Vegas in July to honour the women's team and other female athletes, a gesture that has provided an alternative, more supportive focus following the controversy.

For now, the fabricated clip has increasingly faded from the headlines, with attention returning to the athletes' performances, upcoming seasons and community celebrations of their historic Olympic success.