Trump UNLEASHES on Olympic Skier

Man speaking at a podium, wearing suit and tie.

When President Trump calls out an Olympic athlete as a “real loser” on Truth Social, the collision between patriotic expectations and personal conscience reaches a boiling point that exposes America’s deepest divides.

Story Snapshot

U.S. freestyle skier Hunter Hess admitted “mixed emotions” about representing America at the 2026 Winter Olympics due to domestic political disagreements
President Trump attacked Hess on Truth Social, questioning whether the athlete deserves a spot on Team USA if unwilling to fully represent the country
The controversy erupted amid heightened tensions over ICE immigration enforcement operations and fatal incidents in Minnesota
Vice President JD Vance was booed at the opening ceremony in Milan, highlighting international awareness of American political divisions
Multiple Team USA athletes have spoken out against immigration policies, triggering a debate over whether Olympians should voice political beliefs while wearing the flag

When Wearing the Flag Becomes a Political Statement

Hunter Hess never mentioned Trump by name. The 27-year-old Oregon native simply stated during a press conference that he felt “mixed emotions” about representing the United States at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. He explained his motivation stemmed from friends, family, and personal values rather than pride in every government policy. That nuanced position, however diplomatic in its phrasing, triggered an avalanche. By Sunday morning, February 8, Trump posted his verdict: Hess was a “real loser” who shouldn’t be on the team if he couldn’t commit fully to representing America, punctuated with the president’s signature rallying cry, “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

The ICE Enforcement Shadow Over Milan

Hess’s comments didn’t emerge in a vacuum. The 2026 Winter Olympics opened against the backdrop of intensified ICE immigration operations following Trump’s 2024 reelection. Recent enforcement actions in Minnesota, including fatal incidents involving individuals named Nicole, Alexti, and Pretti, sparked outrage among several Team USA athletes. Freestyle skier Chris Lillis directly criticized ICE operations. British-American skier Gus Kenworthy posted “f–k ICE” and urged senators to pressure funding cuts. Figure skater Amber Glenn, the first openly LGBTQ woman on Team USA’s Olympic skating squad, voiced concerns about LGBTQ policy rollbacks. Team USA even rebranded its Olympic hospitality venue from “Ice House” to “Winter House” to distance itself from the acronym’s toxic political connotations.

When Olympic Legends Echo Presidential Criticism

The backlash extended beyond Trump’s digital pulpit. Mike Eruzione, captain of the legendary 1980 “Miracle on Ice” hockey team, initially posted that athletes questioning their role shouldn’t wear the uniform before deleting the comment. Rich Grenell, Trump’s Kennedy Center appointee and former envoy, suggested Hess should “move to Canada.” The pile-on revealed how deeply conservative voices believe Olympic participation demands unconditional patriotic display, regardless of personal moral conflicts. The Olympic Charter bans political protests at competition venues under Rule 50, forcing athletes to channel dissent through press conferences and social media. That restriction creates an uncomfortable dynamic where speaking one’s conscience becomes an act of perceived betrayal to those who equate silence with loyalty.

The Price Athletes Pay for Speaking Out

Amber Glenn discovered the cost of conscience quickly. After voicing her beliefs, she reported receiving waves of hate messages and threats, prompting her to limit social media activity while vowing to continue speaking out. The attacks illustrate how athlete activism in 2026 carries risks beyond lost sponsorships. The divide in public reaction mirrors America’s broader polarization. Defenders argue athletes represent American ideals, not every government policy, and that free speech includes the right to express moral reservations. Critics counter that donning Team USA gear implies total commitment, and that airing grievances on the world stage undermines national unity. Hess competes in halfpipe on February 19, with no indication he’ll retract his statements or that the U.S. Olympic Committee will impose sanctions.

What This Reveals About American Identity

The Hess controversy exposes a fundamental question America hasn’t resolved: Does representing your country require endorsing its current government? Trump and his allies clearly believe the answer is yes. The athletes speaking out believe representing America means advocating for the nation’s highest values, even when policies fall short. Historically, Olympic protests from the 1968 Black Power salute to modern activism have forced this tension into public view. The difference now is a sitting president directly attacking athletes by name, using his platform to question their worthiness for the team. The debate rages on social media, dividing fans between those who see ingratitude and those who see patriotism redefined as holding your country accountable. Neither side appears ready to concede ground.

The games continue in Italy while Americans argue over what the flag on an athlete’s chest should mean. Trump’s attack on Hess will likely energize his base, reinforcing the message that loyalty demands silence on disagreements. For athletes like Hess, Glenn, and others, the calculation is different: representing America means being American enough to speak truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. The collision between these worldviews won’t resolve before the closing ceremony, and probably won’t resolve for years. What’s certain is that every athlete wearing USA in Milan now competes under a spotlight that has nothing to do with athletic performance and everything to do with whether they’ll stay quiet or risk becoming the next target of a presidential post.