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Trump slams US skier Hunter Hess after Winter Olympics comments
The Winter Olympics are usually a moment of national pride. This week, though, the spotlight shifted from medals and mountain runs to a heated political clash after US President Donald Trump publicly criticised freestyle skier Hunter Hess.
The exchange has quickly drawn strong reactions across media and social platforms, with many weighing in on what athletes should or should not say while representing their countries on the global stage.
A simple question that sparked a storm
The controversy began during a press conference at the Winter Games, where Hess was asked how it felt to represent the United States given the tense political climate back home.
The Oregon-born skier admitted he was experiencing mixed emotions. He explained that while wearing the flag is an honour, it does not mean he supports everything happening in the country. He added that he sees his Olympic moment as representing the people who helped him get there, including friends, family, and supporters.
It was a candid answer, the kind athletes have given at past Olympics when politics and sport inevitably collide. Still, the comments travelled fast across social media and political circles.
Trump’s blunt response on social media
Trump reacted days later on his Truth Social platform with unusually sharp language, calling Hess a “real loser.” He argued that if the skier did not fully support the country, he should not have tried out for the Olympic team and suggested it was difficult to cheer for someone with that view.
The post quickly went viral and triggered a wave of debate across US media and online spaces, with supporters backing Trump’s stance on patriotism while others criticised the attack on an athlete competing on the world stage.
Politicians and public figures weigh in
The reaction did not stop with the president. Republican Representative Tim Burchett dismissed the skier’s comments, telling him to focus on competing. White House chief of protocol Monica Crowley also said athletes should represent the country with pride.
On the opposite side, Senator Bernie Sanders described Hess as a proud American, signalling how deeply political the moment has become.
The split response reflects a long-running tension in Olympic history, where athletes often find themselves balancing national representation with personal beliefs.
Team USA steps in to support its athlete
Amid the noise, the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee issued a statement backing Team USA athletes. Officials said their priority is ensuring competitors have the support and resources needed to perform on the world’s biggest sporting stage.
The message was widely interpreted as an attempt to calm the situation and refocus attention on competition rather than politics.
A bigger backdrop shaping the debate
Hess’s remarks did not happen in isolation. The United States is currently facing heightened political tension, particularly around immigration enforcement. Protests have spread across several cities following fatal incidents involving federal agents earlier this year, intensifying scrutiny of government policy.
That atmosphere has followed the American team abroad, where political debate and public demonstrations linked to events back home have continued to shape conversations around the Games.
Why this moment feels bigger than one athlete
What makes the situation striking is not just the exchange between a president and a skier, but what it represents. Athletes have increasingly used their platforms to speak about social issues, while political leaders have become more willing to respond publicly.
For many fans, the story has become less about one freestyle skier and more about the ongoing question of whether representing a flag requires total agreement with a country’s leadership.
As the Games continue, Hess remains focused on competition. Yet the conversation sparked by a single honest answer has already travelled far beyond the slopes, turning a routine press conference into an international talking point.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: Yahoo Sports
