Flavor Flav to Host U.S. Women’s Hockey Team in Las Vegas After Players Decline Trump’s State of the Union Invite
The gold medal-winning U.S. Women’s Hockey team won’t be heading to Washington, D.C., for President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address. The champions are headed to Las Vegas instead — courtesy of rapper and longtime Olympics supporter Flavor Flav.
The shift unfolded over a single day. The team publicly declined the president’s invitation on Monday, Feb. 23, citing scheduling conflicts, and the entertainer swooped in with an alternative celebration the athletes quickly accepted.
Flavor Flav’s Offer
Flavor Flav, 66, wasted little time after learning the women’s hockey team would not be attending the State of the Union. He took to social media on Monday, Feb. 23, with an offer that was equal parts generous and enthusiastic.
“If the USA Women’s Hockey team wants a real celebration and invite, I’ll host them in Las Vegas,” Flav wrote. “Do some nice dinners and shows and good times.”
He expressed confidence the logistics would come together.
“I’m sure I can get a hotel and airline to help me out here and celebrate these women for real for real. 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾” he added in the same post.
The Team Says Yes
Reports quickly surfaced that the women’s hockey players had accepted his invite. Flav, 66, confirmed the news himself, writing on Instagram: “But they accepted my invitation to celebrate in Las Vegas.”
The gold medalists will trade a formal evening in the halls of Congress for what Flav has promised will be dinners, shows and “good times” in one of the country’s most famous entertainment destinations.
Why the Team Declined the Presidential Invitation
On Monday, the women’s hockey team released a statement through USA Hockey explaining their decision not to attend the State of the Union as guests of President Trump.
“We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal–winning U.S. Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement,” a spokesperson for USA Hockey revealed.
The spokesperson added, “Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate.”
The Men’s Team Heads to D.C.
While the women’s team opted out, the men’s hockey team accepted the president’s invitation to attend the State of the Union.
The divergence came into sharp focus during a congratulatory call to the men’s team after their win over Canada in the Olympic gold medal game on Sunday, Feb. 22. During that call, Trump acknowledged the situation with a mix of humor and awareness.
“I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team,” Trump said, as he began to laugh.
He added, “You do know that. I do believe I’d probably would be impeached [if the women’s team wasn’t invited].”
The men were personally congratulated with a direct call, while the women were referenced later, almost as a footnote, in a moment punctuated by laughter. For those aware of the longstanding pattern of women’s teams being treated as secondary in public recognition, the contrast felt strikingly familiar.
Flavor Flav’s History of Supporting Team USA
Flavor Flav’s offer to host the women’s hockey team is consistent with a pattern of support he has built over time. He has historically supported several athletes at summer and winter games, using his platform and resources to assist competitors who often operate without the kind of financial backing seen in major professional sports leagues.
His support has taken tangible, direct forms. Flavor Flav helped discus thrower Veronica Farley pay her rent. He has also served as a sponsor of the USA’s Water Polo teams.
A Champion For Women in Sports
Flavor Flav’s willingness to step up for the women’s hockey team aligns with a mission he has spoken about publicly — supporting women in athletics.
In an interview with People in 2024, Flavor Flav shared his reasoning for showcasing women in sports.
“There’s a lot of women, I’m saying that all they want is just a chance,” he told the outlet at the time. “And all they want to do is feel like they got a chance. So I just wanted to help out, and help give women that chance that they are looking for.”
What is clear is that the women’s hockey team will not go uncelebrated. Whether in the nation’s capital or on the Las Vegas Strip, Flavor Flav is making sure the gold medalists get their moment.
Production of this article included the use of AI. It was reviewed and edited by a team of content specialists.
