Despite scoring the game-winning goal for Team USA in the 2026 Winter Olympics, New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes has received a ton of backlash online this week.
The outrage initially started on Sunday night when President Donald Trump called the United States men's hockey team to congratulate them on winning a gold medal at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games. For some reason, the president made an unnecessary remark about the U.S. women's hockey team, which also won gold by defeating Canada in an overtime thriller.
“I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that,” the president told the men’s hockey team. “I do believe I probably would be impeached.”
The men's hockey team sparked even more outrage by accepting an invitation to the White House this week. When asked about that decision, Hughes called out people for making things "so political" after a triumphant win at the Olympics.
"Everything is so political," Hughes said, via TMZ. "We’re athletes, we’re proud to represent the US. And when you get the chance to go the White House to meet the president, we’re proud to be Americans and that’s so patriotic. No matter your views are, we’re super excited to go to the White House and be part of that."
Quinn Hughes, who also played for Team USA, danced around Trump's comments when asked about them.
"We're really happy for them," Quinn Hughes said. "[There's] a lot going around on social media right now surrounding our team and their team, but in the last couple summers, we did a lot of training with them and got to know a lot of those girls really well."
© Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Fans are quite frustrated with the Hughes brother.
Just when you thought things would simmer down, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt shared a photo of her hanging out with members of the U.S. men's hockey team.
Both Jack and Quinn Hughes were wearing red and white USA hats in this photo. Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson, meanwhile, was sporting a "Make America Great Again" hat.
This photo sparked a ton of outrage online this Thursday. In fact, some fans are claiming they're done rooting for the Hughes brother.
"I'm going to boycott the Hughes brothers," one person declared.
"Boycott Quinn Hughes and the Canucks for hanging out with Trump," a fan wrote on X.
"I will buy any merchandise that uses the name of Hughes," another fan said.
"This is despicable …. 'everything is so political' says Jack Hughes complaining about everyone calling him out for his [expletive] then a day later wearing a 47 trump hat. So disgusting," a social media user wroe.
The Hughes brothers have not responded to the backlash they're receiving on social media.
With the NHL season officially back, it'll be interesting to see whether or not the fans embrace them with open arms.