Fool's Gold

February 24.

A much ballyhooed address drags on and on and on. Nearly two hours of shameless self promotion, bombast and bragging, distortion and exaggeration. Not to mention outright lies, while sidestepping completely the notorious Epstein files.

During these State of the Union proceedings, American President Donald Trump chooses to introduce “a group of winners who made the entire nation proud.”

If only this was actually the case.

The gathering comes hard on the heels of the 2026 Winter Olympics. This long awaited international event, organized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), is held every four years in winter sport disciplines.

For millions, watching live or via television all around the globe, ice hockey takes pride of place. As expected, in the Women’s competition, favoured USA does win the final, but not before requiring a dramatic, late equalizer and then overtime to down a gallant Canadian squad 2-1.

A few days later, the Men’s event comes to an equally gripping conclusion. In a thrilling, intense, superbly played championship game, Canada, despite a host of grade A scoring chances, cannot find the back of the net despite dominating the third period. Early in extra time, a goal sees the Americans home by the same 2-1 score line.

Initially, USA Hockey bathes in a deserved golden glow. Sportsmanship to the fore, well beyond the traditional post game handshake lines. The sport itself, despite the fierce rivalries between the competing countries, a potential unifier in troubled political and economic times.

Alas, Trump, FBI Director Kash Patel, and the USA Men’s team combine to ensure that any warm and fuzzy feelings do not last long.

Already dealing with the fallout of USA Vice President JD Vance being booed unmercifully by 60,000 people at the Olympics opening ceremony, the optics of Patel visiting the Men’s locker room post game, to celebrate with the team, rankles.

Frankly, Patel embarrasses himself. Already under the microscope for his department’s mishandling of the Epstein situation, he draws further criticism for wasting significant taxpayer money travelling the world on government aircraft for personal business. Nonetheless, eyes glazed, sporting a white USA jersey, screaming “U-S-A, U-S-A,” he dances wildly among the players. All the while chugging a beer, looking like a frat boy attending his first ever party.

Of course, Trump adds to the general chaos. A politically charged, White House social media post depicts a bald eagle assaulting a goose, the animals symbolizing the two countries who just contested the hockey finals.

So typical. So juvenile. So classless.

Worse follows. Put on speaker phone by Patel, Trump panders to the Men’s team. Offers not only congratulations, but a military plane to fly the team back direct from Italy to North America, as well as a personal invitation to attend his State of the Union address.

Then, tellingly, Trump quips that he will also have to “invite the Women’s team or risk impeachment.” The players enjoy a hearty, collective laugh along side him. Even allowing for giddy, locker room euphoria in the immediate aftermath of a hard fought victory, this response is desperately disappointing. Decency be damned.

Instead, a vile, belligerent, dehumanizing abuser of women is once again guilty of flagrant sexism. Misogyny alive and well. Player silence just one form of complicity.

Happily, the Women’s team refuses to take the bait. No presidential congratulations for them, even three days after their final game. No thanks for a job well done, no immediate offer of a charter aircraft, no priority visits to the White House. In contrast, team members politely but pointedly decline any and all "after the fact" invitations due to previously scheduled academic and professional commitments. Refuse to be, in the words of one, dispensable decorations.

Of course, the men seemingly have no such commitments, even though half the teams in the NHL are set to resume play less than 24 hours after Trump’s State of the Union ramble.

Kudos to the five members of the USA Men’s team (out of 25) who choose not to attend the event. Interestingly, four of these five hail from Minnesota, a state that bears the brunt of recent brutal and intimidating ICE enforcement. May others, all across the sporting spectrum, continue to or soon follow suit. Resist any pressure to give tacit approval to a sexist, racist, cruel, and unjust administration.

Hopefully, Trump’s distasteful joke, and the Men’s team reaction to it, does not overshadow the considerable successes and ongoing brilliant achievements in women’s sport.

USA Men’s Hockey team badly misses an opportunity in this regard. Each player, coach, and manager, has the chance to stand for what is right, even if it means standing alone. To set an unforgettable example. To be bigger than the moment. To actually make an entire nation proud.

Not one chooses to do so, even if a handful, after a serious backlash to the locker game antics and ensuing video clips, do offer somewhat tepid apologies and subsequent recognition of the women’s accomplishments.

In an ideal world, sport and politics should not clash. Unfortunately, in a world teetering dangerously towards anarchy, this promises to be well nigh impossible. Therefore, given the circumstances, let us celebrate every gold medal performance with dignity, humility, and class.

All the while remaining alert to the fool’s gold that tarnishes an individual or team legacy.