President Trump welcomed the NHL’s Florida Panthers to the White House on Monday, and he was greeted with gifts and praise from the 2024 Stanley Cup winners.
The Florida hockey team won its first Stanley Cup last June, beating the Edmonton Oilers in the seventh game.
The Panther’s arrival marks the first sports team to visit the White House during Trump’s second term.
OANN correspondent Daniel Baldwin posted updates from their visit on X.
In a frame near the podium this afternoon, a Panther’s jersey that says “Trump 45-47” was on display.
The Stanley Cup is in the White House.
President Trump is welcoming the Florida Panthers today.
There is a Panthers jersey displayed with Trump’s name and “45-47” on the back. pic.twitter.com/ns8QZ1rnsK
— Daniel Baldwin (@baldwin_daniel_) February 3, 2025
President Trump welcomed the entire team and joked about the close series, where the Panthers lost the fourth, fifth, and sixth games after winning the first three, and closed it in the seventh game.
President Trump welcomes the Florida Panthers to the White House.
Trump jokes about the Panthers nearly blowing their 3-0 lead against the Oilers, saying he was a “bit worried” but that “real champions pull it out.” pic.twitter.com/xmRNnUWQUH
— Daniel Baldwin (@baldwin_daniel_) February 3, 2025
President Trump also noted that the entire team was dressed up and matching his signature red tie. “They must like Trump,” he said.
“I love all these ties…they must like Trump!” pic.twitter.com/IV8y6561vV
— Daniel Baldwin (@baldwin_daniel_) February 3, 2025
Team Captains Aleksander “Sasha” Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk presented the President with a hockey stick and a “Trump 47” Panthers jersey during the visit.
Matthew Tkachuk and Sasha Barkov gift President Trump a jersey and hockey stick. pic.twitter.com/jTvsaaYSCY
— Daniel Baldwin (@baldwin_daniel_) February 3, 2025
Tkachuk also told President Trump, “This is such an incredible day for myself. You wake up every day and are really grateful to be an American, so thank you.”
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