WASHINGTON
After adding to the uproar over NFL players who protest during the national anthem, President Donald Trump mostly stuck to hockey in honoring the Stanley Cupwinning Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, calling them “true champions and incredible patriots.”
Trump welcomed the Penguins into the Oval Office and celebrated their second consecutive championship in the East Room of the White House. He singled out the achievements of playoff MVP Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel, among others.
“It’s been an honor to have them all here,” Trump said.
Crosby has said on multiple occasions that the team’s decision to go to the White House was not politically motivated. Coach Mike Sullivan said the Penguins understand the circumstances of their visit and that he didn’t feel like Trump was using them as a political prop.
“We’ve stated clearly from the get-go that our visit to the White House is not political,” Sullivan said.
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