Karoline Leavitt's White House photo with Team USA hockey stars ignites online fury over MAGA hat
NHL star slammed as 'disgraceful' by critics after photo with Trump administration officials
By Paulina Dedaj Fox News
Published February 25, 2026 1:41pm EST
The U.S. men’s ice hockey team continued their Olympic gold medal celebrations back home with a whirlwind tour on Tuesday that began with an Air Force flight into Washington, D.C., and ended with a standing ovation at the State of the Union address.
But amid the praise, the team has faced some backlash on social media.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was among those in the administration to welcome the American hockey players before visiting with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.
Leavitt shared a photo on social media posing with deputy director of communications, Margo Martin, and several members of Team USA. The photo included Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman, Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, Jack and Quinn Hughes, and Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson.
Both Hughes brothers wore red and white USA hats, while Thompson sported a "Make America Great Again" hat, prompting widespread backlash on social media.
"How embarrassing," one person wrote on X in a post sharing the photo. Another person responded, calling Thompson a "scumbag" for wearing the MAGA hat.
"From here to zero in record time," that person later added in another post.
Karoline Leavitt shared a photo on social media posing with deputy director of communications, Margo Martin, and several members of Team USA. The photo included Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman, Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, Jack and Quinn Hughes, and Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson. Both Hughes brothers wore red and white USA hats, while Thompson sported a "Make America Great Again" hat, prompting widespread backlash on social media. (Karoline Leavitt via Instagram)
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https://www.foxnews.com/sports/karoline-leavitts-white-house-photo-team-usa-stars-ignites-online-fury-maga-hat
