Tennis icon Billie Jean King has voiced concern over the U.S. men's Olympic ice hockey team's reaction to a joke President Donald Trump made about the gold medal-winning women's team. During a congratulatory call, Trump referenced the women's team, prompting laughter from several men's players.
King, a staunch advocate for social equality, stated on social media that while she understands the emotions following a major win, hearing the men's team laugh at a joke at the women's expense was "uncomfortable." She emphasized the equal importance of both teams' historic gold medal victories and urged support between male and female athletes.
The U.S. women's team declined an invitation to the State of the Union address. Some men's players have since called the incident unfortunate, with captain Auston Matthews expressing love and respect for the women's squad.