Story perspectives

Olympic Gold Medalists Skip White House Invite Again

3/7/2026

Summary

Story summary

Olympic gold medalists in Washington, D.C., are unlikely to visit the White House soon.
U.S. Figure Skating and several athletes declined invitations from U.S. President Donald Trump.
The women's hockey team declined the invitation, while the men's hockey team attended.
No NBA team has visited during his presidency.
In 2017, Trump rescinded an invitation to the Golden State Warriors after Stephen Curry declined to attend, prompting LeBron James to criticize him.

History

Historical Context

In 2017, President Donald Trump rescinded an invitation to the Golden State Warriors after Stephen Curry declined to attend, reflecting rising tensions between athletes and political figures. This incident followed similar refusals from other teams, marking a shift where athletes increasingly used their platforms for political statements, significantly impacting the relationship between sports and politics in America.

1 of 2

Story summary

Olympic gold medalists in Washington, D.C., are unlikely to visit the White House soon.
U.S. Figure Skating and several athletes declined invitations from U.S. President Donald Trump.
The women's hockey team declined the invitation, while the men's hockey team attended.
No NBA team has visited during his presidency.
In 2017, Trump rescinded an invitation to the Golden State Warriors after Stephen Curry declined to attend, prompting LeBron James to criticize him.

1 / 2