Full Breakdown
Flavor Flav Hosts Celebration for U.S. Women’s Hockey Team After Trump Controversy
2/27/2026, 1:17:02 PM
Invitation to Celebrate Gold Medal Victory
Following their gold medal victory at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics, the U.S. women's hockey team has accepted an invitation from rapper Flavor Flav to celebrate in Las Vegas. The event, titled "She Got Game," is scheduled for July 16-19 and aims to honor not only the women's hockey team but also other female Olympic athletes. Flav, whose real name is William Jonathan Drayton Jr., expressed his desire to host the celebration after the women's team declined an invitation to attend President Donald Trump's State of the Union address due to scheduling conflicts.
Context of the Invitation
The invitation from Flavor Flav came shortly after a controversial phone call between President Trump and the U.S. men's hockey team, who also won gold. During this call, Trump jokingly remarked that he would "probably be impeached" if he did not invite the women's team as well. This comment, which drew laughter from the men's team, was perceived by many as disrespectful to the women's achievements. U.S. women's hockey captain Hilary Knight described Trump's remarks as "distasteful" and emphasized the need for recognition of women's accomplishments in sports.
Official Statements & Responses
In a statement, USA Hockey expressed gratitude for the recognition of the women's team's achievements but cited "previously scheduled academic and professional commitments" as the reason for declining Trump's invitation. "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 stated.
Flavor Flav's invitation was warmly received by the players, with Knight noting that it was special to have someone step up for them after the online backlash surrounding Trump's comments. Flav has a history of supporting women's sports, having previously assisted athletes like gymnast Jordan Chiles and the U.S. women's water polo team.
Celebration Details
The "She Got Game" weekend will feature dinners, shows, and other festivities, with Flav promising a "real celebration" for the athletes. MGM Resorts has partnered with Flav for the event, offering accommodations and support for the celebration. The event is expected to include a parade and concert, further highlighting the achievements of female athletes.
Criticism & Opposition
The backlash against Trump's comments has sparked discussions about the treatment of women's sports in the media and public discourse. Knight and other players have called for a shift in focus back to their accomplishments rather than the political controversy. Knight stated, "These women are amazing, and whatever is going on should never outshine or minimize their work and our work on the world’s stage."
What's Next
As the women's hockey team prepares for their celebration in Las Vegas, it remains unclear whether they will eventually accept an invitation to visit the White House, as Trump suggested during his address. The team is currently focused on their professional commitments in the Professional Women's Hockey League, which resumes shortly after the Olympics.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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,” — Flavor Flav
- “I thought it was sort of a distasteful joke, and unfortunately, that is overshadowing a lot of the success, the success of just women at the Olympics carrying for Team USA and having amazing gold medal feats,” — Hilary Knight
The upcoming celebration in Las Vegas represents a significant moment for the U.S. women's hockey team, allowing them to be honored for their achievements in a manner that aligns with their accomplishments and the support they deserve.
