‘You look like a clown’: Rapinoe says US men’s hockey team let Trump steal their Olympic win

WASHINGTON, DC: Soccer star Megan Rapinoe slammed the US men’s hockey team for letting their 2026 Winter Olympic gold medal victory be overshadowed by President Trump.

On her podcast 'A Touch More,' Rapinoe said the team “ruined” their moment by laughing at Trump’s joke about the women’s team, which she called disrespectful. She argued the players should have focused on their historic achievement rather than participating in a political spotlight.

‘You look like a clown’: Rapinoe calls out US men’s hockey team

During the February 26 episode, Rapinoe described the incident as “a classic ripping defeat from the jaws of victory.” She added, “They ruined it for themselves because they allowed themselves to be totally co-opted by a clown. And now you’re a clown. You look like a clown."

Rapinoe says hockey team gave their moment away

Rapinoe emphasized that the athletes should have valued their victory over being part of someone else’s moment.

“You have the medal! You have the medal swinging around your neck that you won, that you fought for, that you dreamt about your whole life,” she said. “And then you just gave this whole moment over to this person, who you know is just only going to use it for him.”

Background of the incident that sparked backlash

The controversy started on February 22, when the men’s team beat Canada for gold. During their celebrations, Trump called to invite them to his State of the Union address and mentioned he would “have to” invite the women’s team as well. Rapinoe and co-host Sue Bird questioned why the men didn’t stand up for their teammates.

Rapinoe said, “Why don’t you respect yourself enough to not be used in this moment — for this unique achievement that is truly one of the greatest achievements in life?”