Hunter Hess speaks clearly about politics in his country of origin.Video: watson/X
A US athlete speaks out clearly about the current political situation in his homeland. A politician’s reaction is harsh.
02/08/2026, 05:3702/08/2026, 05:37
David Digili / t-online
A US politician responded to an athlete’s criticism of the current United States government with crude language. “Shut up and go play in the snow,” wrote Tim Burchett on X on Saturday. The Republican represents the US state of Tennessee in the country’s House of Representatives and is considered a passionate supporter of US President Donald Trump’s policies.
Did he copy his boss’s respectful language? US Senator and Trump supporter Tim Burchett.Image: keystone
With his rude reaction, the 61-year-old commented on sentences from Hunter Hess. The ski freestyler spoke at a press conference about the current events in his home country: “It gives me mixed feelings to currently represent the USA,” said Hess.
“Just because I wear the US flag doesn’t mean I stand for everything that’s happening in the US.”
Reason enough for Burchett and also MAGA influencer Benny Johnson to rudely attack Hess. “The woke values transmission at the Olympic Games is already beginning,” Johnson blurted out, foaming at the mouth. Burchett and Johnson followed the motto that has long been common for the Trump camp in the USA: opinions are only accepted if they correspond to the twisted ideas of the MAGA movement.
Vonn was also worried
Hess only expressed his opinion on the current situation in clear words, like other personalities from the US contingent. Among other things, ski star Lindsey Vonn also spoke about what was happening in the USA and expressed particular concern about what was happening in her home state of Minnesota.
“I have family and friends in Minnesota, where I grew up.” With a heavy heart, she thinks of all the people at home, said the 41-year-old at a press conference before the start of the games. In Minneapolis, a woman and a man were shot during operations by ICE officers. This triggered numerous further protests, partly because the US government initially lied about how the incidents happened.
“I think the best thing I can do is do exactly what I said: stay upright, have hope and show the world what America is, who we are as people, because we are more than what is happening right now,” said the 2010 Vancouver downhill Olympic champion.
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