US freestyle skier Hunter Hess has found himself at the centre of a political firestorm after former President Donald Trump launched a scathing attack on the Olympian, branding him a "real loser" for expressing ambivalence about representing the United States at the upcoming Winter Games.
Trump's Truth Social Tirade Against Olympian
Donald Trump responded forcefully to Hunter Hess on his Truth Social platform this Sunday, characterising the freestyle skier's recent comments as unacceptable and declaring him unworthy of representing the nation. The former president's post read: "he doesn't represent his Country in 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. Very hard to root for someone like this. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
Hess's Press Conference Remarks Spark Controversy
The controversy stems from a press conference held last Wednesday where Hunter Hess was asked about representing the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics amidst current domestic and geopolitical tensions. Hess responded with candour, stating that wearing the American flag brought up "mixed emotions" and was "a little hard" given the nation's current circumstances.
"There's obviously a lot going on that I'm not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren't," Hess explained during the media session. "I think 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 US ... Just because I'm wearing the flag doesn't mean I represent everything that's going on in the US."
Republican Criticism Extends Beyond Trump
Trump's critique follows similar condemnation from Tennessee Republican representative Tim Burchett, who posted on social media platform X that Hess should simply "shut up and go play in the snow." This coordinated criticism highlights how athletes' political statements have become increasingly contentious in the current polarised climate.
A Pattern of Athlete Criticism Emerges
Hunter Hess represents just one of several Team USA Olympians who have faced backlash after expressing discomfort with representing their country in its current political environment. US figure skating national champion Amber Glenn recently announced she would be taking a break from all social media after receiving what she described as "a scary amount of hate/threats" following her comments about representing the LGBTQ community under the current administration.
Glenn, who publicly came out in 2019, had remarked: "It's been a hard time for the community overall and this administration. It isn't the first time that we've had to come together as a community and try and fight for our human rights."
Other Athletes Address Political Climate
While not specifically mentioning Trump's policies, two-time Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin adopted a different approach when questioned about representing the United States in the current political climate. The alpine skiing star read a quote from Nelson Mandela expressing hope that "we can all flourish regardless of race, colour, creed, religion, gender, class, caste or any other social markers of difference."
Shiffrin then added her own perspective: "For me, as this related to the Olympics, I really hope to show up and represent my own values. Of diversity, and kindness, and sharing. Tenacity, work ethic, showing up with my team every single day."
The Broader Context of Sports and Politics
This incident underscores the increasingly complex relationship between elite sports and political expression, particularly for American athletes competing on the international stage. As the 2026 Winter Olympics approach, the pressure on athletes to navigate political questions while maintaining their competitive focus continues to intensify.
The controversy surrounding Hunter Hess's comments and the subsequent political backlash highlights how Olympic representation has become another battleground in America's ongoing cultural and political divisions, with athletes finding themselves caught between personal expression and national symbolism.
