U.S. Olympic women's hockey team says yes to Flavor Flav after politely declining Trump's invite
The Olympic champion U.S. women’s hockey team has declined an invite to Washington from Donald Trump.
But they’ve apparently said yes to Flavor Flav.
In a statement released by USA Hockey on Monday, the Olympic gold medal winners said they are unable to attend the State of the Union address due to previous commitments.
“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,” the team said. “Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate. They were honoured to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.”
Three days after the American women beat Canada to win gold, the men did the same.
Trump congratulated the men on their gold medal via telephone and invited them to Washington, but also disrespected the women’s team in the process.
“We’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that,” Trump said in a video that went viral, as the men’s players burst out laughing.
Enter: Flavor Flav.
“If the USA Women’s Hockey team wants a real celebration and invite, I’ll host them in Las Vegas,” the 66-year-old American rapper said on Monday. “Do some nice dinners and shows and good times. I’m sure I can get a hotel and airline to help me out here and celebrate these women for real, for real.”
If the USA Women’s Hockey team wants a real celebration and invite ,,, I’ll host them in Las Vegas. Do some nice dinners and shows and good times. I’m sure I can get a hotel and airline to help me out here and celebrate these women for real for real. pic.twitter.com/NhtRJ8UxKE
— FLAVOR FLAV (@FlavorFlav) February 23, 2026
Flavor Flav has been a big supporter of Team USA Olympic athletes and women’s sports in general. He has been willing to put his money where his mouth is, stepping in two years ago to sponsor the U.S. water polo teams at Paris 2024.
The founding member of Public Enemy followed his X post up with a formal invitation to the U.S. women’s hockey team, sharing a screenshot of the email that was sent to them via social media on Monday.
“We saw the story about the men’s invite to the White House, and the not-quite invite for the women’s team,” the email reads.
“Flav recently posted on social media an idea and invite for the women’s hockey team to Las Vegas for a real celebration. He always stands behind everything he says and does. If there is an interest for the team to come to Las Vegas and celebrate with Flav — we will figure it out on our end and make it a lovely experience. I wanted you to know that the offer is real and have my contact information.”
And it sounds like the women are taking Flav up on the offer.
“They accepted my invitation to celebrate in Las Vegas,” he said via Instagram, adding later that it’ll likely be after the PWHL season concludes.