President Donald Trump on Sunday criticized U.S. freestyle skier Hunter Hess after the Olympian said that competing for Team USA at the Winter Olympics in Italy brought up “mixed emotions,” adding that “it’s a little hard” given the current political climate.
Trump took aim at Hess’s remarks, saying the athlete “shouldn’t have tried out for the Team, and it’s too bad he’s on it.”
Why It Matters
The Winter Olympics are unfolding during a volatile moment for the United States, both at home and internationally. Trump’s administration continues to push an expansive “America First” agenda that includes a nationwide deportation effort, sparking protests across the country, as well as sharp rhetoric toward long-standing alliances such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Trump has also floated controversial ideas about U.S. expansion, including owning Greenland or incorporating Canada as a new state.
Domestic tensions intensified following last month’s fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, both American citizens, by federal agents. Lawmakers from both parties have raised concerns about the consequences of the administration’s immigration crackdown. The issue has also spilled into popular culture, with several celebrities at last week’s Grammy Awards referencing federal enforcement actions in speeches or wearing pins reading “ICE Out.”
What to Know
On Friday, Hess and fellow U.S. Olympic skier Chris Lillis addressed the unrest surrounding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in the United States. Lillis said he was “heartbroken about what’s happening in the United States,” adding that the country needs to focus on respecting everyone’s rights and treating people “with love and respect.”
Hess echoed that sentiment, saying, “There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t. Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.”
Trump responded on Truth Social on Sunday, writing that “U.S. Olympic Skier, Hunter 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 continued. “Very hard to root for someone like this. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
The post followed Trump’s remarks on Friday after Vice President JD Vance was met with a mix of boos and applause during the Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Milan.
“That’s surprising because people like him,” Trump said. “He’s in a foreign country, in all fairness… He doesn’t get booed in this country.”
Did ICE Go to the Olympics?
Protesters gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Milan earlier this week to denounce ICE, following reports that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would deploy a contingent of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents to the Olympics to “vet and mitigate risks” during the games.
HSI, which focuses on international crime and trafficking, is separate from ICE. While such deployments are not unusual, the move drew criticism because of its association with domestic immigration enforcement.
DHS said in a statement that “all security operations remain under Italian authority,” a message echoed by Italian officials. Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said HSI personnel would operate only within U.S. diplomatic missions and stressed that they are “not operational agents” and “have no executive function,” according to Al-Jazeera.
What People Are Saying
Senator Mike Lee, a Utah Republican, wrote on X: “If you can’t stand up for your country while abroad—at the Olympics or otherwise, stay home.”
Conservative influencer Emily Austin posted on X: “Any athlete embarrassed to represent the United States has no business wearing Team USA across their chest. Representing this country is an honor. If you don’t love America, step aside, someone who does will gladly take your place.”
Vice President JD Vance, speaking alongside Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday, said: “In the spirit of the Olympics—friendship, competition based on rules, and coming together around shared values—we’re very, very thrilled to be here, and we’ll have a great conversation about a number of topics.”
