Democrats spark fury for refusing to stand for the US Olympic hockey team at Trump’s State of the Union

Democrats attending the State of the Union event were met with anger after they refused to give a standing ovation to Team USA’s men’s hockey stars.

The Winter Olympic champions were given a rousing entrance by Donald Trump in the House chamber at the Capitol, prompting wild “USA” chants from Republicans and others in attendance.

But Democrats in the room refused to stand up for the team, sparking outrage on social media. But they were left standing when Trump later announced that the women’s Winter Olympics team would visit the White House after declining his initial invitation.

Referring to his political rivals, Trump joked: ‘This is the first time I’ve seen them stand up, and actually not all of them did.’

Former Trump adviser Jason Miller led the outrage on social media, calling Democrats who belittled the team “horrible people” and “truly pathetic.”

Those watching at home called them ‘disgusting’ and ‘pathetic’ and claimed they ‘hated American greatness’.

Many Democrats (left) remained seated when the US hockey team was introduced

Players clenched fists and posed with their gold medals as Republicans went wild

Trump team gives rousing welcome as deafening ‘USA’ chants fill the hall

Winter Olympic champions make exciting introduction from President Trump

The men’s players, led by striker hero Jack Hughes and goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck, entered the Assembly chamber through two doors and walked along the rows of the press gallery.

Republicans cheered and chanted ‘USA!’ he chanted. He shakes his fist several times, even most of them.

House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain ‘I love you!’ he shouted. to the players.

During the celebrations, Trump announced that, following a vote by the players, he would award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Hellebuyck, who saved a remarkable 41 of 42 shots in a 2-1 win over Canada.

Trump said: ‘As everyone saw, they beat a fantastic Canadian team in overtime. So are the American women who will soon come to the White House.

‘They were in the Oval Office before, and I want to give my second big congratulations to Team USA. We took the vote and I said, “If anyone votes no, I’m not going to do it.” They said they couldn’t say no because they had never seen a goalkeeper play as well as Connor Hellebuyck.

‘I asked him, ‘The shot that bounces off the neck of your club when you put it back, did you work on that or did you just get lucky? He refused to answer this question.

‘But I want to tell you that the members of this great hockey team, based on their vote and my vote, will be very happy, and in this case my vote was more important; I will soon present Connor with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, our highest civilian honor.

‘What a special job you did. What special champions you are. Thank you very much.’

The men’s team spent Tuesday in Washington, D.C., after being invited by Trump for a celebratory locker room phone call that divided America.

Trump joked that he would be ‘dismissed’ if he did not extend the same invitation to the gold medal-winning women’s team in Milan, which then chose not to accept.

Former Trump adviser Jason Miller called them ‘terrible people’ and ‘really pathetic’

Trump awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck (right)

After a night of jubilant celebration in Miami, the men’s team flew to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday morning. They met with Trump in the Oval Office as he prepared to deliver his State of the Union address.

There were 20 members of the 25-man Winter Olympics squad in Washington, D.C., and five chose to skip the trip.

Video and photos shared by Trump administration aides on social media on Tuesday documented their trip to the White House. They showed members of the hockey team posing for photos in front of the South Portico.

They walked along the colonnaded avenue of the West Wing, where Trump hangs portraits of all U.S. presidents, just steps away from the Oval Office, where they were greeted by Trump.

As they approached the Oval Office, some players burst into the open door of the press office to show off their medals from Sunday’s 2-1 overtime victory over Canada.

It was the Americans’ first gold medal in men’s hockey since the ‘Miracle on Ice’ won in Lake Placid, New York, in 1980. The staff clapped and said ‘We love you!’ he shouted.

‘I know all of you. “I know y’all,” Trump said as the players entered the Oval Office, which he redecorated with numerous gold ornaments that matched the players’ medals.

‘Big men,’ he said as he stood next to his table and shook hands with players wearing dark tops and light-colored pants with the word ‘USA’ on the front, the American flag and the Olympic rings.

The star of Team USA who was instantly recognized by Trump was Panthers veteran Matthew Tkachuk, who recently made flattering comments about the President as Florida celebrated its latest Stanley Cup title at the White House last month.

President Trump hosted 20 of the 25-person list in the Oval Office early Tuesday

Republican leader wears gold medal before posing for photo with team

They showed members of the hockey team posing for photos in front of the South Portico

They marched along Trump’s West Wing colonnade, where portraits of every president are located

Stars lean towards the open door of the press office to show off their medals against Canada

Tkachuk, a back-to-back Stanley Cup champion, was making his third White House trip in just over 12 months. “There’s my friend,” Trump told Tkachuk’s older brother. ‘You’ve come a long way since I last saw you.’

While 20 members of the 25-man squad were present, five players chose not to travel to America’s capital to continue the celebrations.

According to The AthleticKyle Connor, Jake Oettinger, Brock Nelson, Jake Guentzel and Jackson LaCombe all opted out of spending time with Trump and his teammates in Washington, D.C.

Connor, who did not see any action in Milan after his first game, practiced with the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday ahead of his next NHL game on Wednesday.

Oettinger was scheduled to return to Texas on Tuesday and was supposed to be at the Dallas Stars’ morning skate on Wednesday before playing the Seattle Kraken.

Nelson returned to Denver to see his family and is expected back with the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday. Guentzel returned home to Tampa Bay but skipped Lightning practice on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, LaCombe was returning to California from Miami on Tuesday as he prepared to reunite with his Anaheim Ducks teammates for their game against the Edmonton Oilers.

Interestingly, everyone except Connor grew up in Minnesota. Last month, violent clashes broke out between immigration enforcement officers and anti-ICE protesters in Minneapolis following the deaths of two Americans, Renée Good and Alex Pretti.