Donald Trump lashes out at Team USA skier Hunter Hess after he criticizes America during Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo

The Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo are usually a celebration of athletic skill, national pride, and global camaraderie.

This year, however, the games have also become a battleground for political debate.

President Donald Trump has publicly criticized Hunter Hess, a U.S. freestyle skier, after Hess spoke candidly about his frustrations with the current political climate in the United States.

Athlete Speaks Out Amid Political Turmoil

Hunter Hess, a 27-year-old freestyle skier from Oregon competing in the halfpipe event, expressed mixed feelings about representing the U.S. while navigating the nation’s ongoing political challenges.

“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,” Hess said in an interview.

He clarified that wearing the American flag as part of Team USA doesn’t mean he endorses every political decision made back home.

Hess’ statements are part of a larger trend in which athletes at the Olympics are increasingly asked about their views on social and political issues.

While some athletes respond diplomatically, others, like Hess, speak more directly about their personal convictions.

Trump Fires Back on Social Media

President Trump quickly responded on his platform, Truth Social, turning Hess’ nuanced comments into a sharp rebuke.

“U.S. Olympic Skier, Hunter Hess, a real Loser, says he doesn’t represent his Country in the current Winter Olympics,” Trump wrote, slightly distorting Hess’ statement.

He added, “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!”

Trump’s reaction fueled debates online, with supporters echoing his criticism and framing Hess’ remarks as “anti-American.”

Online Backlash and Division

The response on social media was swift and polarized.

Many users called for Hess and fellow skier Chris Lillis, who had expressed similar sentiments, to be removed from Team USA.

One commenter wrote, “You shouldn’t be representing the U.S.A. if you hate it here.”

Another said, “Chris Lillis and Hunter Hess should be sent back home immediately. They have insulted our entire nation on the world stage.”

Others criticized athletes in general for mixing politics with sport.

“I won’t watch the Olympics anymore or support @TeamUSA if they can’t just be athletes and proudly represent their country without opining on political issues,” one user fumed.

Yet some defenders argued that athletes, like any citizens, have the right to voice their opinions even on international platforms.

A Growing Trend: Athletes Speaking Out

This controversy is not an isolated case.

Over the past decade, Olympic athletes from multiple countries have become more vocal about social justice, political issues, and human rights.

From Colin Kaepernick’s kneeling protest in the U.S. to international calls for climate action, sports figures are increasingly recognized not just as competitors but as public voices capable of influencing discourse worldwide.

Hess’ remarks fit into this larger narrative of athletes balancing patriotism with personal conscience.

What’s Next?

It’s unclear if Team USA or Olympic organizers will respond officially to the backlash.

Hess is scheduled to compete in the halfpipe event, and fans will be watching not just his athletic performance but also whether this political clash escalates further.

Meanwhile, Trump and his supporters may continue using social media to influence public perception, keeping this debate in the headlines even after the games conclude.

Observers suggest that the discussion could spark broader conversations about the role of politics in sports, athlete activism, and the expectations placed on Olympians representing their nations on a global stage.

Summary

Hunter Hess, a U.S. freestyle skier, openly criticized the political climate in the United States during the Winter Olympics, sparking a public backlash led by President Donald Trump.

Hess’ nuanced comments about not fully representing U.S. politics were framed by Trump as unpatriotic, prompting heated debate among fans online.

While some demanded that Hess and other outspoken athletes be removed from Team USA, others defended their right to speak.

This controversy highlights the growing intersection of politics and sports, raising questions about how athletes navigate their roles as both competitors and citizens on the world stage.