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President Donald Trump looked over his left and right shoulder, as well as in the crowd, as he hosted more than 120 Team USA Winter Olympians and Paralympians at the White House to celebrate their accomplishment at the Milano Cortina Games earlier this year.
There were 57 total medals brought back to the United States by the 300 athletes representing the Stars and Stripes, including 12 gold medals.
As Trump emphasized, it was a historic Winter Games for the Olympians, securing the most-ever U.S. gold medals in a single year. It was also the most medals won (33) by Team USA in a Winter Olympics outside North America.
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President Donald Trump poses with Olympic medal-winning athletes at a reception for Team USA for the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in the East Room of the White House on Aug. 6, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Trump honored the team’s medal achievements at this year’s Winter Games, where American athletes earned 57 total medals, including 25 gold. (Getty Images)
And 24 more medals came back to the States after 72 Paralympians competed across all five sports, securing 13 gold medals including a fifth straight sled hockey victory.
“Paralympians bring home their fifth straight gold medal in sled hockey, extending one of the greatest dynasties in all of international sports and it’s amazing what you’ve done. Nobody’s ever done anything like it,” Trump said before acknowledging members from that team.
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Speaking of hockey, Trump would be remiss not to mention the men’s and women’s Olympic hockey squads that both defeated Canada in overtime.
“The 2026 men’s Olympic hockey team. We celebrated together and it was really an incredible time. The women’s team and the men’s team — it was just incredible,” Trump said.
“We can’t forget and never would — and nobody would have the courage to forget either because they are amazing. The history-making women’s hockey team. This team left everything on the ice.”
Multiple Paralympic medalist and alpine monoskier Laurie Stephens smiles as two-time Olympian and bobsledder Frank Del Duca presents President Donald Trump with a pair of shoes and a Team USA jacket on behalf of Team USA during an event welcoming Olympic and Paralympic winter athletes in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 6, 2026. (AFP)
Trump had previously invited members of the men’s Olympic hockey team to his State of the Union address just days after winning gold, where goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom earlier that day.
Trump received backlash for making a joking remark during a call with the men’s team following their overtime victory that he would be “impeached” if he didn’t invite the women to the White House for an event as well. USA Hockey released a statement later that, while athletes were grateful for the invitation, their active college and pro schedules made attendance impossible.
But forwards Joy Dunne and Abbey Murphy were both among the Olympians and Paralympians behind Trump on Thursday at the White House. He took time during his speech to recognize both of them.
After congratulating every member of Team USA in his speech, Trump was gifted a Team USA varsity jacket and a new pair of shoes as mementos for what was an incredible performance all around by those representing the country.
Megan Keller (5) of the United States and Hannah Bilka (23) of the United States celebrate after winning the gold medal in women’s ice hockey after defeating Canada during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milan Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 19, 2026. (Amber Searls/Imagn Images)
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Those who were unable to attend the event on Thursday were already back training for the 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Games , which will be held in the French Alps .
In 2034, Salt Lake City will be the host site for the Winter Games, which Trump was excited to mention.
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