Trump Denounces U.S. Olympians for Political Statements at Winter Games
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly criticized American athletes participating in the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics for speaking out against his administration's policies, labeling one freestyle skier as "a real Loser" in a social media post. This controversy represents the most prominent instance of U.S. Olympians facing significant online backlash for their political commentary during the international sporting event.
Athletes Express Mixed Emotions About Representation
During a Friday news conference, reporters asked American competitors how they felt about representing their country amid heightened immigration enforcement actions under the Trump administration. Freestyle skier Hunter Hess responded with nuanced perspective, stating he had "mixed emotions" about the situation since his personal values don't align with current policies.
"If it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I'm representing it," Hess explained. "Just because I'm wearing the flag doesn't mean I represent everything that's going on in the U.S."
Conservative Figures Join Criticism
Trump's condemnation came one day after Hess's comments, with the former president writing on his Truth Social platform that such remarks make it difficult to support the athlete. "Hess, a real Loser, says 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," Trump declared.
The criticism extended beyond Trump to include several conservative personalities:
- YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, who has 4.4 million followers on X, wrote: "From all true Americans If you don't want to represent this country go live somewhere else." Paul was later photographed sitting beside U.S. Vice President JD Vance at a women's hockey game.
- Former NFL quarterback Brett Favre added his voice to the criticism.
- Actor Rob Schneider and U.S. Representative Byron Donalds, whom Trump has endorsed for Florida's gubernatorial race, also joined the chorus of disapproval.
Multiple Athletes Voice Concerns
Hunter Hess was not alone in expressing reservations about current U.S. policies. Fellow freestyle skier Chris Lillis referenced Immigration and Customs Enforcement specifically during the same news conference, stating he felt "heartbroken" about developments in the United States.
"I think that, as a country, we need to focus on respecting everybody's rights and making sure that we're treating our citizens as well as anybody, with love and respect," Lillis emphasized. "I hope that when people look at athletes compete in the Olympics, they realize that that's the America that we're trying to represent."
U.S. figure skater Amber Glenn noted that the LGBTQ+ community has faced particular challenges during the Trump administration, adding another dimension to the athletes' concerns about representation and values.
Online Harassment and Official Response
The political commentary has triggered substantial online vitriol directed at the athletes. Amber Glenn reported on Instagram that she received "a scary amount of hate / threats for simply using my voice WHEN ASKED about how I feel," prompting her to limit social media engagement for her mental well-being.
In response to Associated Press inquiries, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee issued a Sunday statement acknowledging "an increasing amount of abusive and harmful messages directed toward the athletes." The organization committed to removing problematic content and reporting credible threats to law enforcement while affirming its support for Team USA competitors.
"The USOPC stands firmly behind Team USA athletes and remains committed to their well-being and safety, both on and off the field of play," the statement concluded.
International Context and Local Protests
The controversy unfolds against a backdrop of declining international support for the United States as the Trump administration pursues aggressive foreign policy measures including punitive tariffs, military engagement in Venezuela, and territorial threats toward Greenland. During the opening ceremony, while Team USA athletes received cheers, Vice President JD Vance and his wife faced audible jeers and whistles when displayed on stadium screens.
In Milan, several demonstrations have protested the local deployment of ICE agents, despite clarifications that these officers belong to Homeland Security Investigations—a unit focused on cross-border crimes rather than immigration enforcement. A Saturday protest attracted thousands of participants, with minor clashes occurring between a small group of demonstrators and police who employed tear gas and water cannons. This followed similar protests earlier in the week against the presence of ICE personnel in Italy.
The situation highlights the complex intersection of international sports, political expression, and diplomatic relations during major global events like the Winter Olympics.
