President Donald Trump made a notable declaration during his State of the Union address on Tuesday, asserting that the U.S. women's hockey team, which he had previously belittled, is now set to visit the White House after initially rejecting an invitation. This announcement came as he praised the Olympic gold medal-winning U.S. men's team, which was present in the audience for the speech.
Trump's Remarks Spark Controversy and Confirmation
In his address, Trump highlighted the men's team's victory, stating, "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." This comment has stirred controversy, given his earlier dismissive tone towards the women's team. HuffPost has reached out to both USA Hockey and the White House to verify the details of this development.
Background of the Invitation Dispute
The controversy began when Trump extended an invitation to the men's team following their triumph at the Milan Cortina Games. During that event, he snickered that "we're going to have to" invite the women's team, or risk facing impeachment, a remark that many observers found offensive and belittling. According to USA Hockey, the women's team declined the initial invitation due to scheduling conflicts, adding fuel to the public debate over Trump's handling of the situation.
Alternative Celebrations and Public Reactions
In a twist, rapper Flavor Flav announced on social media that the women's team had accepted his invitation to party with him in Las Vegas for what he called a "real celebration." This alternative event highlights the team's desire to celebrate their achievements in a manner that aligns with their preferences, away from the political spotlight.
Men's Team Receives Recognition at Capitol Hill
Meanwhile, the gold medal-winning men's team visited Trump at the White House on Tuesday and later received a rousing ovation during his State of the Union speech on Capitol Hill. Many players were visibly seen clapping as the president mentioned the impending visit of the women's team, showcasing a moment of unity and recognition for both squads.
The scene was captured in images, such as one showing the men's team basking in adulation from President Donald Trump and the audience during the address, underscoring the high-profile nature of their Olympic success and its intersection with political events.
