It’s not every day I am envious of President Donald Trump. He’s truly got a lot on his plate. But on Friday, I couldn’t help but wish I had been in the Oval Office when the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” U.S. Men’s Hockey team stopped by to be honored.
In a video posted on X by the White House, President Trump signed into law the Congressional Gold Medal Act (H.R. 452), as 13 members of the historic hockey team stood around him sporting white cowboy hats, reminiscent of the ones they wore on the ice while marching during the opening ceremonies of the1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York.
“President Donald Trump honors the 1980 ‘Miracle on Ice’ U.S. Men’s Hockey team,” the post read. “During the height of the Cold War, the Americans fielded a roster with no Olympic or professional experience and defied overwhelming odds by defeating the dominant USSR.”
President Donald Trump honors the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” U.S. Men’s Hockey team. 🇺🇸🏒
During the height of the Cold War, the Americans fielded a roster with no Olympic or professional experience and defied overwhelming odds by defeating the dominant USSR. pic.twitter.com/8lo37sBTwT
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 12, 2025
“This is very exciting. This is one of the greatest moments in the history of U.S. sports,” Trump said. “I wouldn’t say, maybe, for other countries, they weren’t so thrilled. But for U.S. sports, and we have a very exciting team of champions standing behind me right now.”
Trump then called on a White House attorney to read the bill, which states that “Congress has authorized three medals to be struck, commemorating the historic victory of the U.S. Men’s Hockey Team in 1980 at the Lake Placid Olympics, where they obviously defeated the Soviet Union in the famous Miracle on Ice hockey game.”
READ MORE: The Press Angered Over USA Hockey in MAGA Hats Completely Miss the Miracle of That Team
MORE: What Made the Miracle On Ice More than a Sporting Event?
One of the medals will be placed at the Lake Placid Olympic Center in Lake Placid, New York, USA Today reported. Another will go to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum in Eveleth, Minnesota. A third will be placed at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers told the outlet:
“President Trump will honor the legendary 1980 Olympic men’s ice hockey team whose ‘Miracle on Ice’ resulted in a historic and symbolic victory against the Soviet Union. This triumph fueled a resurgence of national pride as Americans across the country watched Team USA unexpectedly take home the Gold Medal. No one is more committed to honoring American greatness and patriotism than President Trump.”
After Trump signed the bill, the captain of the hockey team, Mike Eruzione, presented as a gift a historic souvenir to Trump, a white cowboy hat. He said it was a replica of the hats the team wore at the ceremonies in Lake Placid.
MUST WATCH!
President Trump is gifted a cowboy hat from the Miracle on Ice Olympic Gold Medal team 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/EcLbKscPwN
— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) December 12, 2025
“This is an absolutely incredible honor. I’ve said this before, but when you put a USA jersey on, you’re playing for your country, you’re not playing for your state, your town, or your city. And what an honor it was for us to put that jersey on and accomplish what we accomplished,” Eruzione said. “I’ve always said the gold medal is something that’s incredible, but this is the frosting on the cake.”
Also in attendance were some of Eruzione’s teammates like Jim Craig, Buzz Schneider, and family members of the late Herb Brooks, whose legendary coaching style led to the team’s victory.
“It’s an honor to be here. I’m so proud of all my teammates and what we have accomplished for our country,” Craig said. “When you get a chance to represent your country, whether it’s in the military or a sport, you can do something really special like my team did and then be recognized years later.”
Given this bill signing comes ahead of the 45th anniversary of that miraculous, come-from-behind game, I have to suggest, if you haven’t seen it or even if you have, go watch the movie “Miracle” about Coach Brooks and a group of young men who did something at a time no one thought was possible: beat the Soviets.
It’s an incredible moment in our U.S. history that will have you standing up cheering USA, USA!!
And for more details of that game that was more than just a game, check out a great piece from RedState’s Brad Slager.
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