Hunter Hess doesn’t like the current political leadership in his home country.Image: keystone
The US freestyler Hunter Hess criticized the current politics in his home country at the Olympics. He was then attacked by Donald Trump and the target of hate messages. Now Hess has reacted again.
02/10/2026, 07:2902/10/2026, 07:29
US ski freestyler Hunter Hess confirmed in a post on Instagram that he loves his home country. A lot about the USA is great, “but there are always things that can be better,” said the 27-year-old.
Hess was recently targeted by US President Donald Trump because he said at a media conference that he was currently feeling “mixed feelings” about representing his country at the Olympics. He indicated that he disagrees with current politics in his homeland, saying:
“Just because I wear the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the United States.”
Donald Trump then described the athlete online as a “real loser”. It’s a shame that Hess is in Italy; he shouldn’t have applied in the first place, said Trump. “It’s very hard to cheer for someone like him.” He also alleged that Hess had said that he did not represent the USA. The US President ignored the fact that the athlete obviously only commented on the controversial policies of Trump’s government.
Several US Olympians had expressed criticism of what was happening in their own country. In particular, the brutal approach of the deportation authority ICE is met with rejection by many. In Minneapolis, ICE officers killed two people in January. After the criticism expressed, the athletes became the target of numerous hate messages, as the US Olympic Committee announced.
Apparently Hess now felt compelled to make it clear that he is a proud American. But he also explained in the post that one of the reasons the USA is so great is because you have “the freedom to point out things”. The best thing about the Olympics is that it brings people together, and “we need that more than ever when so many are divided.” He concluded by saying:
“I can’t wait to represent Team USA when I compete next week.”
Hess received a lot of support for his stance in the comments. But other athletes also supported him. The popular US snowboarder Chloe Kim, herself the daughter of immigrants, said that the matter was “very close” to her.
“The United States has offered my family and me so many opportunities, but I also believe that we are allowed to express our opinions on current events and that we must move forward with love and compassion.”
Chloe Kim advocates for freedom of expression.Image: keystone
Her teammates Bea Kim (who is not related to her) and Maddie Mastro said similar things. Mastro added: “I’m also sad about what’s happening at home.”
Eileen Gu, who is also a freestyle skier and is friends with Hunter Hess, was affected by the hatred Hess received. After her silver medal win on Monday (behind the Swiss Mathild Gremaud) exchanged with him. She was sorry that the debate was overshadowing the Olympic Games.
“It is in stark contrast to everything the Olympic Games should stand for.”
Gu grew up in the USA but has competed for China since 2019. The change of nation brought her a lot of criticism and sometimes hate.
(con)