Good afternoon. We have an important mid-day update for you right now. The U.S. women’s hockey team has declined an invitation to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union after he suggested he felt obligated to invite them, adding to mounting controversy. At the same time, Peter Mandelson has been arrested in connection with the expanding Epstein investigation, and new polling shows Trump’s approval ratings falling as frustration grows inside the White House.
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This afternoon, the gold medal winning U.S. women’s hockey team has declined an invitation to attend President Donald Trump’s upcoming State of the Union address, citing prior commitments.
A spokesperson for USA Hockey confirmed that the team was invited but would be unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts. The statement underscored the players’ appreciation for the recognition while making clear that existing obligations would prevent their participation.
The decision comes amid controversy surrounding comments Trump made while congratulating the U.S. men’s hockey team on their Olympic victory over Canada. During a locker room video call that was recorded and posted online, Trump praised the men’s team as “unbelievable” and invited them to attend his annual address to Congress. He also extended an invitation to visit the White House.
However, the tone shifted when the president referenced the women’s team, which also captured gold against Canada.
“I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that,” Trump said with a chuckle, prompting laughter from the room.
He added, “I do believe I would probably be impeached” if he did not invite the women’s team as well.
The remarks drew criticism from observers who viewed the comments as dismissive of the women’s achievement. The women’s team has not publicly addressed the president’s comments, but their absence from the State of the Union ensures the controversy will linger.
Meanwhile, in a major development tied to the latest release of documents connected to Jeffrey Epstein, British political heavyweight Peter Mandelson has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrest in a statement.
“Officers have arrested a 72 year old man on suspicion of misconduct in public office,” the statement said.
Mandelson, a former senior Labour Party figure and the United Kingdom’s former envoy to Washington, was detained at an address in Camden, north London, today. He was taken to a London police station for questioning. Authorities confirmed that the arrest followed earlier raids on his properties this month.
Television images in the United Kingdom appeared to show Mandelson being driven away from his home accompanied by a man and a woman.
The arrest follows the recent detention of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, King Charles III’s younger brother, who was detained and later released under investigation in a separate misconduct in public office inquiry also linked to the latest Epstein disclosures. This image of Andrew was in the Louvre today:
The unfolding investigations have intensified scrutiny on political and royal figures named in the newly released materials, raising fresh questions about accountability and the long shadow of the Epstein scandal.
All the while, as President Donald Trump prepares to deliver his address to the nation, new polling paints a troubling picture for his administration.
A Washington Post ABC News Ipsos poll released Sunday found that only 39 percent of Americans approve of the way Trump is handling the presidency. Forty seven percent said they strongly disapprove. And, Trump isn’t happy about it:
Independent voters appear to be moving away from the president in significant numbers. A separate CNN survey released today found that only 26 percent of independents approve of Trump’s job performance, marking a 15 point drop since February 2025.
On key issues central to his administration’s agenda, the numbers are equally stark. According to the Washington Post ABC News Ipsos poll:
- Fifty eight percent disapprove of his handling of immigration.
- Fifty seven percent disapprove of his management of the economy.
- Sixty five percent disapprove of his handling of inflation.
- Sixty four percent disapprove of his approach to tariffs.
Only 38 percent of respondents in the CNN poll said Trump’s policies are moving the country in the right direction.
With controversy surrounding his comments on women’s sports, escalating developments in the Epstein investigation, and weakening approval numbers, Trump enters his national address facing mounting political headwinds.