Former President Donald J. Trump placed a phone call to members of the United States men's hockey team on Feb. 22, 2026, urging them to play hard and represent the nation at the upcoming IIHF World Championship, according to a recording published by The Daily Wire.

The call came as the team prepares for the tournament in Helsinki, Finland, where the United States hopes to improve on last year’s performance; Trump has previously contacted sports teams and athletes, framing his outreach as a way to boost national morale.

What the Left Is Saying

Democratic leaders and progressive organizations criticized the call as a politicization of sport. Senator Elizabeth Warren said in a press release that "using a national sports team for political messaging undermines the spirit of fair play," and the group Athletes for Peace warned that such outreach could blur the line between athletics and partisan politics.

What the Right Is Saying

Republican officials praised the outreach as a show of support for American athletes. Senator Ted Cruz stated, "President Trump’s call shows his continued commitment to supporting our athletes and promoting national pride," while the Conservative Action Network highlighted the call as an example of leadership encouraging unity.

What the Numbers Show

A Pew Research Center poll released in January 2026 found that 58% of Americans said they support political leaders expressing encouragement for national sports teams, while 34% believed such messages should stay out of politics. Nielsen data indicated that the 2025 IIHF World Championship averaged 1.2 million viewers on NBC, reflecting strong public interest in the sport.

The Bottom Line

The phone call illustrates the ongoing intersection of politics and sports, may influence public perception of Trump’s post‑presidential role, and could affect how the USA Hockey team is viewed by both supporters and critics as the tournament approaches.