Charles Barkley talks Olympic hockey fallout

Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley chimed in on the frenzy over the president’s invitation to the White House for the US men’s hockey team. Donald Trump.

Trump spoke to the Olympic gold medal winning team after they defeated Canada in overtime last weekend. They will be invited for his visit, he said ADDRESS OF THE STATE ASSOCIATION And added that he needs to invite the women’s team as well or he will be “impeached”.

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Charles Barkley sits courtside against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the NBA Cup game on Nov. 21, 2025 at the Mortgage Matchup Center. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagine Images)

Trump critics took the joke as a shot at the women’s team, which prompted questions from reporters from the NHL and professional women’s hockey leagues as players returned to their respective club teams.

“I’m proud of the men of the United States. I’m proud of the women of the United States. Both of you should have been invited to the White House, but not disrespectfully, disrespectfully,” Barkley said. “Steam Room” podcast “Like, yo, man, why do you have to mess with everything? Not everything is Democrat, Republican, conservative, liberal. That’s why we have this country divided, screwed up. Stop it, man. Because, you know, people, they’re stupid. They’re stupid. They can’t think for themselves. I can’t make them think. Stuff and you know they’re going to be stupid.”

Barkley lamented that the average person would be offended by the supposed controversy.

Team USA poses for a group photo after defeating Canada in the men’s ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Milan, Italy, on February 22, 2026. (Luca Bruno/AP Photo)

“We don’t have to fall for stupidity. But we do – that’s my point. These people here are stupid. They need something to stimulate them. Because they want to fool us. We don’t have to be stupid. He should invite. Both teams at the White House. Simple as that. Those who didn’t want to go don’t need to be told why they didn’t.”

The former Philadelphia 76ers, Houston Rockets and Phoenix Suns star has made it clear that he will move to the White House even if Trump is in office.

“I’ve said it before, I’m not a Trump guy. But if I’m invited to the White House, I’ll go. I’m not a Trump guy — I want to make that clear. But I respect the office,” Barkley said. “He’s the president of the United States. But if people don’t want to go, I understand that too. It doesn’t have to be a talking point. It doesn’t have to be un-American.

Megan Keller (5) celebrates with the flag with Team United States’ Kayla Barnes (3) during the women’s gold medal match against Canada on Day 13 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. (Sarah Steer/Getty Images)

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