In a fascinating twist of post-Olympic celebrations, the stars of Team USA’s women’s hockey squad are swapping the White House for the bright lights of Las Vegas. The team, fresh off their Winter Olympics gold triumph, has opted to party in Sin City with the legendary Flavor Flav, choosing this over an invitation from President Donald Trump. The decision reportedly comes as a result of “previously scheduled commitments,” according to the rap icon.
Flavor Flav, known for his vibrant personality and larger-than-life presence, extended the invitation to Hilary Knight and her teammates after what seemed like a dismissive gesture from President Trump. In a leaked video clip, Trump reached out to congratulate the men’s hockey team from their locker room in Milan following their historic victory over Canada, marking their first gold medal in 46 years.
During this call, while FBI director Kash Patel celebrated with the men’s team and Coach Mike Sullivan, Trump extended an invitation to the White House and even mentioned his upcoming State of the Union address. However, his comments about the women’s team were met with mixed reactions. “I must tell you, we are going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that. I do believe I would probably be impeached if I didn’t invite them,” Trump quipped, inciting laughter from the men’s team.
While the men’s team eagerly accepted the president’s invitation, the women’s team received a formal invite but ultimately decided to decline. Instead, they are set to enjoy a vibrant celebration under the neon lights of Las Vegas, hosted by Flavor Flav, marking a memorable chapter in their Olympic journey.
But, on the phone, Trump told the players: ‘I must tell you, we are going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that. I do believe I would probably be impeached (if he didn’t invite them).’
His comment drew laughter from the men’s team, who instantly accepted the offer. An invitation was later sent to the women’s team, but it was declined.
Rapper Flavor Flav invited the United States women’s hockey team to a Las Vegas party
The American women won their third gold medal in an overtime win over Canada
The rapper’s invite comes after President Trump appeared to mock the women’s team
In the wake of the controversy, Flavor Flav – real name William Jonathan Drayton Jr. – posted on social media: ‘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.’
He later posted on Instagram that the team had accepted the invitation, which comes after Knight and Co secured their own dramatic overtime win over Canada.
The White House did reach out to the women’s team but they turned down the chance to go ‘due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional 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,’ a USA hockey spokesperson was quoted as saying by NBC.
‘They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.’
Flavor Flav revealed on social media that he was plotting the party for the end of the PWHL season. After a month-long break for the Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, the 2026 regular season returns this week and runs until April 25.
The rap icon posted a screenshot of his official invite, which read: ‘I am reaching out on behalf of Flavor Flav. First, massive congratulations on the gold!! We saw the story about the men’s invite to the White House, and the not quite invite for the women’s team.
‘Flav recently posted on social media an idea and invite for the women’s hockey team to Las Vegas for a real celebration.
The men’s hockey team won their first gold medal since 1980 by beating the Canadians
The White House reached out to the women’s team but they said they were unable to go ‘due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments’
‘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.’
Flavor Flav has long been a supporter of women’s sports, having previously shown love for the US women’s rugby team at the Paris Olympics in 2024.
At those games, he also helped to pay off the rent of discus thrower Veronica Fraley, who was struggling financially.
On Monday night, meanwhile, men’s hockey hero Jack Hughes defended the women’s team after they declined Trump’s invitation to the White House.
Speaking in Miami, Hughes – who became a global superstar for scoring the winning goal victory while bleeding from the loss of two front teeth – said: ‘They’ve got busy schedules, too. Everyone is giving us backlash for all the social media stuff today.
‘People are so negative out there and they are just trying to find a reason to put people down and make something out of almost nothing.
‘Our relationship with them, over the course of being in the Athletes’ Village, I think we are so tight with their group.
‘After we won the gold medal we were in the cafeteria at 3:30am in the morning with them and we go from there, pack our bags and we’re on the bus.
‘People are so negative about things. I think everyone in that locker room knows how much we support them, how proud we are of them and we know the same way we feel about them, they feel about us.’
