Jennifer Siebel Newsom responds after US women’s hockey team declines Trump's SOTU invite

WASHINGTON, DC: Gavin Newsom’s wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, weighed in after the US women’s hockey team declined an invitation from President Donald Trump to attend his State of the Union address.

The response came Monday, Feb 23, shortly after the gold medal–winning team chose not to attend the president’s speech. Siebel, an actress and documentary filmmaker, reacted on X with a pointed remark about the decision.

“Clearly they prefer arenas where women are actually respected!” she wrote. “As they should.”

Women’s team declines State of the Union invitation

The US women’s hockey team’s decision came fresh off their Olympic gold victory over Canada. According to a statement from USA Hockey shared with NBC News, the athletes were unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts.

“We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal-winning US Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement,” a USA Hockey spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added, “Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate.”

“They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment,” the statement concluded.

The explanation framed the decision as logistical rather than political, even as public reactions, including Siebel Newsom’s, added a sharper tone to the conversation.

Trump’s locker-room remark sparks attention

The moment that fueled the online reaction came during Trump’s phone call with the US men’s hockey team on Sunday. The call was facilitated by FBI Director Kash Patel, who was celebrating with the team in their locker room following their win over Canada.

Trump congratulated the players and invited them to attend his upcoming address at the Capitol.

“I just told my people 10 minutes ago, we’re giving the State of the Union speech on Tuesday night,” Trump said, adding that he wanted to “send a military plane or something” to pick the players up.

He then joked about extending the same invitation to the women’s team.

“I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that,” Trump said.

“I think if I didn’t do that, I do believe I probably would be impeached,” he added, prompting laughter from players, including Jack Hughes.

Both the US men’s and women’s teams had defeated Canada in their respective Olympic finals.

Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s history of advocacy

Siebel Newsom, 51, is married to California Governor Gavin Newsom, a political rival of Trump. She has long been vocal on women’s rights issues and has used her platform to highlight gender representation.

In 2022, she accused disgraced movie producer Harvey Weinstein of raping her in a hotel room in 2005. She is also known for directing the 2011 documentary Miss Representation, which examined the under-representation of women in positions of power in the United States.

Beyond filmmaking, she serves as founder and CEO of Girls Club Entertainment, a production company focused on developing independent films that center women’s empowerment.

Her latest comment is not the first time she has publicly criticized Trump. In November, she made headlines after calling the president the “exact opposite of what real strength looks like.”