President Donald Trump publicly criticized American freestyle skier Hunter Hess on Sunday following comments the athlete made regarding his feelings about representing the United States at the Milano Cortina Winter Games.
The President’s rebuke came via social media, where he stated that Hess, whom he called “a real Loser,” had indicated he does not represent his country at the current Winter Olympics. “If that’s the case, he shouldn’t have tried out for the Team, and it’s too bad he’s on it,” the President wrote. “Very hard to root for someone like this.”
The controversy stems from remarks Hess made during a Wednesday press conference when asked about the current political situation in the United States. The Olympic athlete acknowledged what he described as “mixed emotions” about representing his country on the international stage.
“I think it brings up mixed emotions to represent the U.S. right now,” Hess told reporters. “It’s a little hard. There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t.”
The skier went on to clarify that his participation in the Games was motivated primarily by personal connections rather than national pride. “For me it’s more I’m representing my friends and family back home, the people that represented it before me, all the things that I believe are good about the U.S.,” he explained.
Hess further stated that wearing the American flag does not mean he represents everything occurring in the United States, and emphasized that he competes for those who have supported him personally.
The athlete’s comments prompted swift reactions from administration officials and conservative figures. Rich Grennell, a Trump administration envoy and Kennedy Center head, suggested on social media that Hess should relocate to Canada if he lacks pride in wearing the American flag.
Tennessee Representative Tim Burchett, a Republican, advised Hess to “shut up and go play in the snow.” Florida Representative Byron Donalds, whom President Trump has endorsed in the state’s gubernatorial race, joined other conservative voices in criticizing the athlete.
The backlash extended beyond political figures. Former NFL quarterback Brett Favre, actor Rob Schneider, and Jake Paul, a YouTuber turned boxer who was photographed with Vice President JD Vance at a U.S. women’s hockey game, all expressed disapproval of Hess’s statements.
The controversy has affected other American athletes as well. U.S. National Champion figure skater Amber Glenn, who made history Sunday as the first openly LGBTQ woman to skate at an Olympic Games, announced she would reduce her social media presence after receiving what she described as a troubling volume of criticism and threats.
Glenn had shared her perspective on issues affecting the LGBTQ community prior to the Games. In a social media post Saturday, she expressed disappointment at the response to her exercise of free speech, noting that she had been asked about her feelings as an athlete competing during what she characterized as a difficult time for many Americans.
The incident raises longstanding questions about the relationship between athletic competition and political expression, particularly when American athletes represent their nation on the world stage.
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