Matthew Tkachuk has expressed his respect for Donald Trump very clearly in recent days. But during Team USA’s visit to the White House on Tuesday, Tkachuk once again stunned fans with a surprising gesture toward the president.
Team USA secured an Olympic hockey gold medal for the United States for the first time in 46 years after defeating Team Canada in overtime on Sunday.
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Matthew Tkachuk’s gesture to Donald Trump
The players have been celebrating ever since. First in Italy, then back in the United States, where they landed in Miami and continued the festivities at the popular nightclub E11even. On Tuesday, the team traveled to Washington, D.C., for their visit with President Trump.
During the visit, the players toured the White House and later attended the president’s State of the Union address. At one point, Team USA gathered with Trump for a group photo. Footage from the meeting shows Matthew Tkachuk handing his Olympic gold medal to Trump so that he could try it on.
Trump jokingly responded, “I’m not giving it back,” prompting Tkachuk to quip that he would trade the medal for a pen from Trump’s desk.
Fans show their reactions
Fans quickly reacted to the moment, many poking fun at the exchange:
“The only trophies and medals he gets to touch are other people’s lol,” one fan wrote on X.
“Any footage of him handing it back?” another joked.
“Yeah, that dude will never see the medal again,” a third added.
You can watch the medal swap below.
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