Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, Olympics, Sport, News, World News
Donald Trump has given an unexpected update on the US women's hockey team after they declined his invitation to visit the White House.
In case you need a reminder, the Team USA women's and men's hockey teams both took home gold medals during the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics last week, after beating rivals Canada.
And following the men's 2-1 victory on Sunday (22 February), a video emerged of the group celebrating their win in the locker room and getting a congratulatory call from the US President.
The 79-year-old Republican leader invited the team to attend his State of Union address as guests of honour, before making a controversial 'sexist' remark about the women's team.
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Trump said, "And we have to - I must tell you - we’re going to have to bring the women’s team. [If I don’t] do that, I do believe I probably would be impeached, OK?" which prompted some laughter from the group of men.
Understandably, the comment didn't go down very well, and the world leader has been accused of 'misogyny,' especially given that the women's team has brought home a medal every year since the sport was introduced.
Shortly after the video surfaced, the women's hockey team declined Trump's offer, with their spokesperson telling NBC that the decision was made due to 'timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments'.
Their response read: "We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal-winning US 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."
20 of the players on the men's team, on the other hand, attended the Washington DC event on Tuesday (24 February), while five were absent.
And now, as we say, during the State of Union address, Trump gave a surprising update on the situation with the women's team.
According to Fox News, everyone inside the House chamber saluted the men's hockey team, while Trump said: "They beat a fantastic Canadian team in overtime, as everybody saw, as did the American women who will soon be coming to the White House."
It’s unknown if the women’s hockey team has accepted an invitation to the White House, and when this potential event is due to happen.
Tyla has contacted a representative for the US women's hockey team for comment and clarification on the matter.
It comes after the team reportedly accepted a different invitation, from none other than iconic rapper Flavor Flav, real name William Jonathan Drayton, Jr.
Clearly disappointed with what's gone down, the musician told the women's team on Monday (23 February) that if they 'want a real celebration and invite' that he'd 'host them in Las Vegas'.
In an email screenshot later shared to X, Flav's team told the female winners: "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."
The invitation continued: "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."
Later, seemingly confirming their attendance, writing in the Instagram comments section of an ESPN post about the team declining Trump's invite, Flav wrote: "But they accepted my invitation to celebrate in Las Vegas."
This also hasn't yet been confirmed by the women's team, however.
A spokesperson for the women's team told Tyla: "Players are back competing with their professional and collegiate teams and are in the midst of their season. They’re honored and grateful to be invited, and any opportunity to visit the White House as a team will be based on their schedules once their seasons conclude."
