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U.S. Olympic Men’s Hockey Team Served McDonald’s During White House Celebration
The U.S. Olympic men’s ice hockey team was served McDonald’s fast food during their White House visit celebrating their gold medal victory over Canada, according to verified footage that surfaced online.
Video shared on February 24, 2026, shows team members seated at a table in the Roosevelt Room, wearing their gold medals while eating hamburgers and other fast food items from the popular chain. The footage was originally posted by Scarlett Johnson, whose social media bio identifies her as a “White House new media correspondent.”
White House spokesperson Davis Ingle did not explicitly confirm the meal’s contents when questioned, offering instead a general statement: “President Trump is proud of Team USA’s historic victory and the White House was excited to treat the gold medal champions to a hearty American meal.”
The authenticity of the video has been verified through multiple visual elements, including the recognizable Theodore Roosevelt painting visible in the background, consistent with the Roosevelt Room’s known decor. The players shown match those in official White House photos from the same event.
The men’s team’s fast food celebration has drawn particular attention on social media after being contrasted with the U.S. Olympic women’s hockey team, who reportedly enjoyed a “gourmet” meal with actor Stanley Tucci instead. However, this comparison lacks important context—the women’s team dined with Tucci in Milan in early February before winning their gold medal, not as an alternative victory celebration.
The women’s team subsequently declined Trump’s invitation to attend his State of the Union address, citing “previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games.” Members of the men’s team did attend the address.
Johnson’s video, captioned “Brought to you courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue,” quickly gained traction online. She later expressed surprise at the clip’s virality, writing: “I am still amazed that my little video of the Men’s US Hockey Team eating McDonald’s in the White House went bananas viral.”
Johnson is among the “new media” figures now included in the Trump administration’s press pool—a departure from traditional White House media access that typically limited credentials to established news organizations. According to Poynter media analysis, this “new media” contingent includes “bloggers, podcasters and others” who are “part pundit, part commentator and a big part cheerleader for Trump, the MAGA movement and conservatism.”
While Johnson’s footage shows the team eating McDonald’s, the White House’s official photographs and footage released by staffers did not include images of the meal itself—focusing instead on the ceremonial aspects of the visit.
This isn’t the first time the Trump White House has served fast food to guests. During Trump’s first administration, he famously provided fast food for college football champions during a government shutdown when White House kitchen staff was limited.
The men’s hockey team visit came amid some controversy, as Trump had previously remarked that he would “have to” invite the women’s team to the White House for a victory celebration or he “probably would be impeached,” a comment that was independently verified by fact-checkers.
While some Minnesota players from the men’s team reportedly declined to attend the White House celebration, the overall event highlighted Trump’s continued embrace of American fast food brands during official White House functions—a notable departure from the more formal dining traditions of previous administrations.
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8 Comments
The video footage seems pretty conclusive. It’s a bit surprising that the White House didn’t serve a more formal meal, but I suppose they wanted to keep things casual and ‘American’ for the occasion. As long as the players were happy, that’s what matters most.
The McDonald’s meal seems like an odd choice for a White House celebration, but I suppose it fits with the current administration’s affinity for fast food. As long as the players enjoyed it, that’s what really matters. It’ll be interesting to see if future teams are treated to a more formal spread.
The McDonald’s meal seems like an odd choice for a White House celebration, but I suppose it aligns with the current administration’s penchant for fast food. As long as the players were happy with it, that’s what really matters. It’ll be interesting to see if future teams are treated to a more formal spread.
Interesting that the Olympic hockey team was served McDonald’s at the White House. I wonder if that was a strategic choice or simply the most convenient option. In any case, it’s good to see the team being recognized for their accomplishment.
I’m a bit skeptical about the team being ‘treated’ to a McDonald’s spread. Seems more like a publicity stunt than an actual celebratory meal. But I guess it fits with the current administration’s affinity for fast food. Curious to hear the players’ thoughts on it.
This is an interesting bit of trivia about the Olympic hockey team’s visit. I wonder if the fast food menu was a strategic choice or simply the most convenient option. Either way, it’s good to see the team being recognized for their accomplishment.
Interesting tidbit about the Olympic hockey team’s White House visit. I wonder if the fast food meal was a strategic choice or a matter of convenience. Either way, it’s good to see the team being celebrated for their hard-won victory.
I’m a bit surprised the White House opted for a McDonald’s spread rather than a more traditional catered meal. But I suppose it was a way to keep things casual and ‘American’ for the occasion. It’ll be interesting to see if this becomes a new trend or if it was a one-off decision.