Team USA’s historic Olympic gold-medal victory sparked celebrations that reached the highest levels of government, including a congratulatory call from President Donald Trump and a locker-room celebration featuring FBI Director Kash Patel.
Patel confirmed he joined the team after a video circulated showing him drinking a beer, spraying it in the locker room, and celebrating as players sang Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the USA” following a dramatic 2-1 overtime win over Canada at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games on Sunday.
Forward Matthew Tkachuk placed a gold medal around Patel’s neck during the celebration.
FBI Director Kash Patel got the murder rate to a 125 year low in America in only one year.
If he wants to celebrate with our gold medal winning hockey team, not only is it appropriate it's based as fuck!
This is what winning looks like.🇺🇸pic.twitter.com/DNlhEE95ok
— Brenden Dilley (@WarlordDilley) February 23, 2026
Members of the mainstream media mob pounced, criticizing Patel for attending the locker room celebration.
“For 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,” Patel wrote on X.
For 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.…
— Kash Patel (@Kash_Patel) February 23, 2026
A longtime hockey fan, Patel also shared photos with players, including overtime hero Jack Hughes and the Tkachuk brothers, holding an American flag. Another image showed him alongside USA and Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan as the team celebrated behind him.
Patel wore a white USA shirt during the festivities.
“Unity, Sacrifice, Attitude — what it takes to be the best in the world,” Patel wrote on X. “These men live and breathe it. Now Team USA are gold medal champions, legends standing on the shoulders of giants. Thank you for representing the greatest country on earth, in the greatest game ever created. congrats boys.”
Unity, Sacrifice, Attitude- what it takes to be the best in the world. These men live and breathe it. Now Team USA are gold medal champions, legends standing on the shoulders of giants. Thank you for representing the greatest country on earth, in the greatest game ever created.… pic.twitter.com/hBG987pxM2
— Kash Patel (@Kash_Patel) February 22, 2026
FBI officials said Patel’s trip to Italy was not personal.
Assistant Director of Public Affairs Ben Williamson wrote on X on Feb. 19 that the visit had been planned months earlier and included meetings with Italian law enforcement and security officials, American Ambassador to Italy Tilam Fertitta, and Legal Attaché staff.
Another Patel post appeared to confirm this.
— Kash Patel (@Kash_Patel) February 23, 2026
Williamson added after criticism of Patel’s presence at the game that any personal expenses would be reimbursed.
The victory marked the United States’ first Olympic gold in men’s hockey since the “Miracle on Ice” team in Lake Placid in 1980 — and the nation’s third overall.
Thank you for visiting