MAGA embraces hockey gold medal with latest swipes at Canada
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Three Team USA fans, one of whom is wearing a MAGA hat, at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics. Photo: Ina Fried/Axios
America is celebrating its first U.S. men's hockey gold since the '80s, toppling Canada with a clutch overtime goal amid historically sharp tensions between the neighboring nations.
The big picture: The victory was extra sweet for the MAGA world, which swiftly seized the win as an opportunity to roast Ottawa — and uplift Team USA's star player Jack Hughes' patriotism after calling out other athletes for criticizing the current state of the country.
- "We're USA. We're so proud to be Americans. Tonight was all for the country," Hughes said after the win.
Case in point: In one of several posts celebrating the win, the official White House page shared an image that appeared to show a bald eagle gripping a goose in its talons (though, Democratic Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland shared a similar photo).
- Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.) wrote on X, "If we had 51 states, Canada would have Gold," referencing President Trump's expansionist vision that has largely contributed to the historic wedge between the two nations.
- The GOP wing of the House Judiciary Committee shared on X, "America: Free speech. Waffle House. GOLD Medal in Hockey. Canada: Bagged milk. Fake bacon. Socialism."
Flashback: It's not the first time political tensions collided with a U.S.-Canada matchup.
- During last year's 4 Nations Face-Off, which Canada won, Canadian crowds booed "The Star-Spangled Banner," and fights broke out.
Zoom out: Hughes post-game message was championed by several MAGA-world voices, including Vice President JD Vance.
- "Heart full of pride for his country and a few front teeth gone missing. That's American hockey right there," the vice president wrote. He also shared a belated congratulations to the women's hockey stars who won gold on Thursday.
- Team USA's men's hockey coach Mike Sullivan said Trump FaceTimed the team to congratulate the players, per the AP.
- Videos shared online appeared to show FBI Director Kash Patel in the locker room, celebrating with the team.
Friction point: Celebrating American athletes is nothing new — but in a hyper-partisan political environment, the president and MAGA world voices have also used their platforms to boo some U.S. talent.
- Megyn Kelly, sharing the clip of Hughes, wrote, "ABSOLUTE PERFECTION."
- But earlier this month, she called LGBTQ+ skating star Amber Glenn a "turncoat to root against" for discussing the challenges the queer community has faced under the Trump administration.
U.S. skiers Chris Lillis, who won gold, and Hunter Hess also became targets of MAGA world ire, with Trump himself labeling Hess "a real Loser" for expressing the "mixed emotions" representing the U.S. evoked.
- After Trump singled him out, Hess said it was "probably the hardest two weeks of my life," per The Athletic.
Worth noting: Plenty of voices on the political left celebrated the win as well.
- Former President Obama applauded several athletes, writing, "Congratulations to the U.S. Men's and Women's hockey teams, Alysa Liu, Breezy Johnson, Mikaela Shiffrin and all the amazing Olympic athletes representing @TeamUSA."
- Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) wrote, "Wow! Can never count out a Jersey Devil! Congratulations to Jack Hughes and Team USA!!"
The bottom line: Sunday's win was undeniably historic, representing only the third men's hockey gold the U.S. has won in Olympic history — but not all athletes are earning the same level of praise from Washington's helm and its allies.
- And 41-year-old mom Elana Meyers Taylor's historic gold medal in the monobob to Alysa Liu ending a 24-year U.S. gold medal drought in women's figure skating, Team USA gave the country much to celebrate.
Go deeper: Hilary Knight sets 2 Olympic records in U.S. gold win
Editor's note: This article has been updated to include comment from former President Obama and Sen. Cory Booker.
