Us Mens Hockey Controversy widens as women’s team declines State of the Union invite and Flavor Flav offers an alternative
The us mens hockey controversy centers on President Donald Trump’s invitation to the men’s Olympic gold medalists to attend the State of the Union and the U. S. women’s hockey team’s decision to decline a separate invitation, a move the women’s program tied to scheduling conflicts after the Games.
Men’s gold, talk of the State of the Union and a tribute in the locker room
After the men’s team secured an overtime victory over Canada on Sunday at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, Dylan Larkin and Zach Werenski discussed the historic win, a “heart-wrenching” tribute to Johnny Gaudreau and an upcoming visit to the State of the Union at the invitation of President Donald Trump.
Us Mens Hockey Controversy
The controversy expanded when President Trump called the men’s team on Sunday night after their overtime victory. During the call he said, “I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that, ” and added, “I do believe I probably would be impeached, ” if he did not invite the women’s team.
Women’s team declines invitation, cites commitments
The U. S. women’s hockey team said it is declining the invitation to attend the State of the Union. USA Hockey said, “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. Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate. They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment. ” The women beat Canada for the gold medal in Thursday’s Olympic women’s hockey final in Italy.
Flavor Flav invites the women’s team to Las Vegas
After the women’s team declined the White House visit, Flavor Flav offered an alternative celebration in Las Vegas. On Monday he shared a formal invitation by email that began, “I am reaching out on behalf of Flavor Flav. First, massive congratulations on the gold!!” A representative for Flavor Flav wrote: “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. 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. ”
Footage, a facilitated call and what comes next
Footage of the president’s locker-room call with the men circulated on social media, and FBI Director Kash Patel, who was seen celebrating with the men’s hockey team post-game, facilitated the call and promised to bring the players to Washington at the president’s request. The men’s team won gold against Canada on Sunday; the women’s team won gold against Canada on Thursday. It is unclear in the provided context whether the men’s team will attend the State of the Union.
Flavor Flav’s original social media post said he would treat the women’s team to “some nice dinners and shows and good times, ” hoped “a hotel and airline” might partner to help celebrate, and wanted to include his Bobsled + Skeleton team, which secured a record six Olympic medals in bobsled competition.
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment in the provided context.
The next confirmed public milestone in this sequence is the State of the Union address; whether the men’s team will attend remains unclear in the provided context, and the women’s team has said its athletes are unable to participate because of timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games.
