Trump sticks to hockey, avoids tariff talks during Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers’ visit

AP ^ | February 3, 2025 | STEPHEN WHYNO

[MinorityRepublican]

President Donald Trump mostly stuck to sports and avoided any talk of tariffs as he celebrated the NHL’s defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers at the White House on Monday.

Trump had to delay the ceremony nearly an hour while he talked to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about the tariffs. Eventually, with the Stanley Cup placed on the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, Trump took pictures with the team, chatted with players and Panthers owner Vinnie Viola — who he considers a good friend — and was gifted a couple of jerseys and a golden hockey stick.

He praised the Panthers for going from losing in the final in 2023 to Vegas to winning the first title in franchise history, jokingly comparing it to his path back to the White House.

“You gave the fans one of the most riveting comebacks in NHL history, in any sport history,” Trump said. “I don’t know anything about a comeback, but they tell me it’s very nice.”

The Panthers had a red customized “Trump 45-47” jersey framed for him. He was also presented a “Trump 47” jersey and the gold stick by Viola, Finnish captain Aleksander Barkov and American forward Matthew Tkachuk.

“We had to go with 45 and 47, right?” Viola said to Trump. “We brought a cohort, to use a term from the military, of champions to visit a champion. And your kindness and the hospitality displayed by your staff is a simple reflection of the excellence that you demand in people, and we were the beneficiaries of it today.”

[airborne]

Nice pictures at the site!

[xp38]

I wonder how many of the other championship teams will boycott Trump during the next few years. A bunch IIRC did in his first go round. Hopefully none this time.

[dfwgator]

I’m sure the WNBA champions will, but really, who cares?

[MinorityRepublican]

I wonder how many of the other championship teams will boycott Trump during the next few years.

Trump is not going to invite teams from the NBA and the WNBA.

Teams from other sports will fall in line now. The pendulum has swung the other way.

[JZelle]

Chiefs yes, Eagles no

[nwrep]

Everybody looks scared of him. LOL!

[cowboyusa]

They would go this time.

[SunkenCiv]

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[GOPJ]

“You gave the fans one of the most riveting comebacks in NHL history, in any sport history,” Trump said. “I don’t know anything about a comeback, but they tell me it’s very nice.”

Great quote...

[alstewartfan]

Congrats to the Panthers!! 😸