After invitation to the White House US women's ice hockey players don't want to see Trump - and California's First Lady mocks him

The US women's ice hockey team has turned down Trump's mocking invitation to the White House - and has received support from California's First Lady. She makes fun of the president online.

Those who mock others often become the target of mockery themselves - as Donald Trump once again found out: After he invited the US women's ice hockey team to the White House with an ironic undertone, the Olympic champions thankfully declined.

The team is now receiving support from celebrities: Jennifer Siebel Newsom, wife of Californian Governor Gavin Newsom, publicly mocked Trump. With regard to the gold medal winners' declined invitation, California's First Lady wrote on X: "Apparently they prefer arenas where women are actually respected. And rightly so".

Trump only congratulates men personally

The US women's ice hockey team had defeated Canada 2:1 in the final at the Winter Olympics in Italy to win the gold medal. The White House subsequently published a congratulatory message, but Trump did not comment on the title win on his personal social media channels.

It was a different story for the men's team: after their victory in the final against Canada, the President congratulated them by phone call. In a video shared on social media and in the US media, Trump can be seen in the dressing room on his cell phone, inviting the team to the "State of the Union" speech and a later visit to the White House.

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"We're just going to have some fun. We have medals for you," Trump said in the phone call, which according to "Newsweek" was mediated by FBI Director Kash Patel.

Referring to the women's team, he joked, "And I have to tell you, we have to bring the women's team, you know that. I think there would probably be impeachment proceedings against me if the women's team wasn't invited."

Invitation declined

The US women's ice hockey team ultimately turned down this somewhat mocking invitation - citing scheduling commitments. "We are sincerely grateful for the invitation to our gold-winning US women's team and greatly appreciate the recognition of their exceptional performance," the team said in a statement.

It added: "Due to the timing and already planned academic and work commitments after the Games, the athletes are unable to attend. They are honored to have been considered and are grateful for the recognition."

The debate was not long in coming: While the White House officially recognized the athletic success of both teams, there is debate on social media as to why the president only personally congratulated the men's team. Meanwhile, there was no reaction from either Trump or the White House to the declined invitation.