Hughes brothers and Tage Thompson under fire for what they wore at the White House

What should have been a straightforward celebration of Team USA’s historic Olympic gold medal has turned into something far more divisive.

During the team’s visit to the White House on Tuesday, some American players were photographed wearing Donald Trump campaign merchandise, and the images immediately sparked debate online.

Goaltender Jeremy Swayman joined brothers Jack and Quinn Hughes, Tage Thompson, and Connor Hellebuyck in posing for photos with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. In those photos, Quinn and Jack Hughes and Thompson were seen wearing bright red caps associated with Trump’s 2024 campaign. Thompson’s hat clearly displayed the acronym “MAGA” (“Make America Great Again”), while Jack Hughes wore a white version of the campaign cap.

The players had received their White House invitation during a locker-room call from Trump following their dramatic overtime win over Canada in the gold medal game, the United States’ first Olympic men’s hockey gold since the “Miracle on Ice” in 1980.

That call had already generated controversy after a remark from Trump about the U.S. women’s team drew criticism and laughter inside the room.

Of the 25 American players who competed in Italy, five, Brock Nelson, Jackson LaCombe, Jake Guentzel, Jake Oettinger, and Kyle Connor, did not attend the White House visit.

For many fans, the hope was that the gold medal moment would remain about hockey. Instead, the optics of the visit have shifted the conversation.

In a week that was supposed to be about a championship, politics once again found its way into the spotlight and some argue it didn’t have to…