Who is Matthew Tkachuk? Trump wears US men's hockey star's gold medal at White House, says, 'I’m not giving it back' - Video goes viral

Matthew Tkachuk is one of the leading stars of US men’s hockey, known for his physical style, scoring ability, and leadership on the ice. The 26-year-old forward plays in the National Hockey League (NHL) and has been a key figure for Team USA in international competitions. During the team’s official visit to the White House following their dramatic overtime victory over Canada in the 2026 Winter Olympics final on Sunday, Donald Trump briefly wore Tkachuk’s gold medal during the photo op in the Oval Office, joking, "I’m not giving it back." The moment quickly went viral on social media, drawing wide attention as fans reacted with humor and pride to the lighthearted exchange.


Tkachuk is a winger and alternate captain for the Florida Panthers in the National Hockey League. He previously played in the NHL with the Calgary Flames, who selected him sixth overall in the first round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Tkachuk emerged as a top prospect at the junior level, representing the United States at the U17 World Hockey Challenge, the U18 World Championship, and the 2016 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, where his team earned a bronze medal.



The triumphant US men’s hockey team received an invitation from Trump to celebrate their achievement in Washington, DC. The president also invited the US women’s team, though they declined because of scheduling conflicts and prior professional obligations. On Tuesday, the men’s squad made a brief visit to the White House ahead of Trump’s State of the Union address to Congress. During the reception, he commended both players and coaches for their dedication and recent accomplishments.

Tkachuk was joined by several teammates in the Oval Office, posing for photos and proudly displaying their medals before the official photo session when the lighthearted moment occurred.


The Florida Panthers star asked the president if he would like to try on the gold medal, setting up the exchange that quickly drew attention.

"Yeah, absolutely. I’m not giving it back," Trump joked.

Tkachuk waited for a sec and then replied, "I’ll trade you that for a pen."

Trump said it was 'cool' to wear the medal, adding, "I never thought I’d have this on me."


The White House shared photos and videos on social media showing the team touring the residence and lining up for a group photo with the president inside the Oval Office. The visit followed a phone call from Donald Trump after the team’s Sunday night gold-medal win over Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, during which he invited them to attend his address to Congress.