MILAN, Italy – The United States men’s hockey team’s historic gold medal victory over Canada at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games wasn’t confined to the ice. The celebrations spilled over into the locker room, and included an unexpected guest: FBI Director Kash Patel.
Videos circulating online show Patel exuberantly celebrating with the team following their 2-1 overtime win, a result that marked the first American gold in men’s Olympic hockey in 46 years – since the famed “Miracle on Ice” in 1980. Patel was seen chugging a beer, spraying the remaining contents over players, banging on a table, and even receiving a gold medal draped around his neck by a member of the team.
The scenes unfolded shortly after Team USA secured the win, punctuated by the team singing Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue.” Patel later acknowledged his presence in the locker room via a post on X, stating, “To the very concerned media – yes, I love America and was extremely humbled when my friends, the newly minted Gold Medal winners on Team USA, invited me into the locker room to celebrate this historic moment with the boys – Greatest country on earth and greatest sport on earth.” He also posted photos with the team, including overtime hero Jack Hughes and the Tkachuk brothers.
The victory itself was a hard-fought affair. Canada and the United States entered the final period tied, with the game ultimately decided in overtime. The win caps a strong tournament for the Americans, who navigated a challenging bracket to reach the gold medal game. The significance of the victory extends beyond the medal itself, representing a resurgence for American men’s hockey on the international stage.
Adding to the whirlwind day, President Donald Trump reportedly called the team in the locker room to offer his congratulations. A video captured the President speaking to the team via speakerphone, saying, “Unbelievable. You were all unbelievable. That team is pretty good you played.”
Patel’s presence in the locker room, however, has drawn scrutiny. While celebrated by some as a display of patriotic support, it has also sparked criticism, with some questioning the appropriateness of the FBI Director’s involvement in what should be a purely athletic celebration. Concerns have been raised about the potential for politicizing the FBI, and whether Patel’s actions were fitting for his position. The incident occurred as the FBI was also dealing with a separate, high-profile incident: the shooting of an armed man who attempted to drive into Mar-a-Lago, President Trump’s Florida residence.
According to reports, Patel was in Milan attending the games when the incident at Mar-a-Lago occurred. He posted on X stating the FBI was “dedicating all necessary resources” to the investigation, demonstrating the agency’s response to the situation unfolding back home even as he celebrated with the hockey team abroad.
The juxtaposition of these events – a celebratory moment for American athletes and a serious security breach – has fueled the debate surrounding Patel’s presence in Milan. Some Democrats have criticized Patel, questioning his judgment and suggesting he was politicizing the FBI. Others have raised concerns about his leadership of the nation’s top law enforcement agency.
Despite the controversy, Patel’s enthusiasm for the sport is well-known. He is a self-described hockey fan, and his presence at the games was not entirely unexpected. The images and videos of his celebration with the team, however, have amplified the discussion about the role of political figures in sporting events and the potential for those events to become entangled in broader political narratives.
The US team’s victory, and the subsequent celebrations, will undoubtedly be remembered as a defining moment for American hockey. However, the involvement of the FBI Director has added a layer of complexity to the story, raising questions about boundaries, priorities, and the intersection of sports and politics.
Patel is scheduled to testify before House lawmakers later today on Capitol Hill, where he is likely to face questions about both the Mar-a-Lago shooting and his celebratory appearance with the Olympic hockey team.
