Team USA hockey star Jack Hughes has given his strong verdict on the backlash received after Donald Trump’s phone call during the Winter Olympics. The President made a joke about the US women’s team, which caused huge outrage online.
Following Sunday’s dramatic 2-1 victory against Canada in the men’s final, Trump phoned to send his congratulations to the team. However, he caused controversy by inviting the players to the State of the Union address, while joking he had to invite the women too, or risk being ‘impeached’.
The Winter Olympics could look very different, with some big changes expected from Milano Cortina 2026 to French Alps 2030.
Those comments didn’t go down well on social media, with the men’s hockey players also receiving heavy criticism for laughing along with the President. The women’s team, which won gold in its own right, have since turned down the invitation from Trump.
Jack Hughes Defends Donald Trump Phone Call
Donald Trump Sparks Backlash For Comment About US Women’s Hockey Team
“They’ve got busy schedules, too. Everyone is giving us backlash for all the social media stuff today. People are so negative out there and they are just trying to find a reason to put people down and make something out of almost nothing.
“Our relationship with them, over the course of being in the Athletes’ Village, I think we are so tight with their group.”
Hughes, who lost a tooth during the chaotic final, added: “After we won the gold medal, we were in the cafeteria at 3:30am in the morning with them, and we go from there, pack our bags and we’re on the bus.
“People are so negative about things. I think everyone in that locker room knows how much we support them, how proud we are of them and we know the same way we feel about them, they feel about us.”
Team USA Looking Forward to Meeting Trump
US President Donald Trump
Despite his female colleagues politely turning down the State of the Union address and White House visit, Hughes and his teammates are looking forward to it. The 24-year-old gold medallist claims he wants to put politics aside as a ‘proud American’. He said:
“Yeah, we’re excited. Everything is so political. We’re athletes. We’re so proud to represent the US and when you get the chance to go to White House and meet the president, we’re proud to be Americans and that’s so patriotic.
“No matter what your views are we’re super excited to go to the White House tomorrow and be a part of that.”
Arsenal have opened talks to sign a Manchester City midfielder in the summer transfer window as they look to bolster Mikel Arteta’s young options.
It’s not so often you see players move between Arsenal and Man City, although there have been a handful in recent years.
Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko are two recent examples, but there’s unlikely to be too many in the future due to their Premier League rivalry.
The Gunners are in the market for reinforcements this summer as they aim to build on what was a phenomenal 25/26 season.
The North London club will be hoping to go one better in the Champions League and lift the trophy, but they will also aim to win the Premier League title once again.
City are hoping to keep hold of the 16-year-old talent and have offered him a new contract, believed to be one of the biggest financially for a player his age in Europe.
Parker, described as a ‘powerhouse’, is yet to commit his long-term future to City, which has alerted a number of clubs around Europe, including Arsenal.
The Gunners are set to face competition from a number of clubs, including Premier League sides. Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and RB Leipzig are also keen, while Real Madrid are aware of his situation.
The Midlands club have slapped a £130m price tag on his head, and it remains to be seen whether the Gunners will get close to that figure.
Arsenal are looking to bring in young talent from around the world, but they will also be looking to add new signings to improve the senior squad.
Mikel Arteta’s side certainly don’t need to panic when it comes to additions for the first team after such an impressive 25-26 season, which saw them win the Premier League title.
Newcastle United have agreed a deal to sign Ajax sensation Seun Steur in a deal worth around £20m, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Magpies have had a busy window so far after selling Anthony Gordon to Barcelona for £70m, while a deal for Sandro Tonali to join Tottenham Hotspur for £100m was completed earlier this week.
That has allowed the club to seal a deal for Bazoumana Toure in attack, while they are also pushing to sign World Cup star Johan Manzambi to bolster their midfield. But they have now moved ahead with a deal for another midfield star to help Eddie Howe.
Manchester United could be in the market for a new defender in the summer transfer window as they look to improve Michael Carrick’s squad.
The Red Devils have been heavily focusing on signing midfielders so far this summer, but they have struggled to get deals over the line.
A move for Ederson appears to be reaching a conclusion, especially now the Brazilian midfielder has been knocked out of the World Cup.
After securing the signatures of some new additions in the middle of the park, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see United move on to different areas of the pitch.
There is no doubt the midfield is a major priority, but due to competing in the Champions League, they will need to reinforce multiple areas.
The Red Devils face competition from the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, and they are actively seeking reinforcements in defence.
The Bundesliga club could charge up to £43m to allow Coulibaly to depart this summer. At the age of 19, he’s seen as a potential long-term investment for interested parties.
Werder Bremen are hoping to keep Coulibaly, described as ‘elite’, for another season, whether that be through rejecting any potential bids or inserting a loan-back clause in any deal.
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Signing a midfielder has to be a priority
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Despite links to signing a new defender, Manchester United have to prioritise bringing in midfield additions in the summer transfer window.
They are yet to confirm a new signing in the middle of the park, and although there is plenty of time remaining, they could continue to miss out on key targets.
With Casemiro already through the exit door and Manuel Ugarte suffering a serious injury, United are desperate for midfield reinforcements.
Mateus Fernandes and Elliot Anderson were both key targets for the Red Devils, but they failed to get their signatures as they moved to other Premier League clubs.
