JD Vance has weighed in on Olympian Eileen Gu’s decision to represent China in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The 22-year-old freestyle skier has had a strong season in Italy, earning two silver medals this year after winning two golds and a silver at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
Gu, a San Francisco native, has faced criticism from some observers for competing for China. During a Tuesday, Feb. 17 appearance on Fox News’ The Story With Martha MacCallum, Vance was asked about her choice to represent China despite being raised in the United States. MacCallum noted that some have called Gu “a traitor” and described her decision as “treasonous.”
“I have no idea what her status should be. I think that’s ultimately up to the Olympics Committee,” Vance said. “I won’t pretend to wade into that.”
He added that he wished athletes who grew up in the U.S. would compete for the U.S. team.
“I certainly think that somebody who grew up in the United States of America, who benefited from our education system, from the freedoms and liberties that make this country a great place, I would hope that they want to compete with the United States of America,” he said. “So, I’m going to root for American athletes, and I think part of that is people who identify themselves as Americans. That’s who I’m rooting for this Olympics.”
Vance has also drawn attention during the 2026 Games after he and his wife, Usha Vance, were audibly booed while attending the Opening Ceremony at San Siro Stadium on Feb. 6.
In another moment making the rounds online, Vance addressed athletes who speak out about politics, acknowledging that there will be “some Olympic athletes who pop off about politics.”
“My advice to them would be to try to bring the country together, and when you’re representing the country, you’re representing Democrats and Republicans,” he said. “You’re there to play a sport, and you’re there to represent your country and hopefully win a medal. You’re not there to pop off about politics.”
He added that athletes who decide to take political stances should “expect some pushback,” while saying that most Olympians “are doing a great job” and generally “enjoy the support of the entire country.”
Gu has also spoken about the backlash she’s received for competing for China, where her mother was born. She told The Athletic that she has been “physically assaulted on the streets” while attending Stanford University and has received death threats.
All five of Gu’s Olympic medals have been earned while representing China, a choice she has described as difficult. Explaining her decision, she said she grew up in the U.S. with many role models but felt she could have a bigger impact in China.
“In the U.S. growing up, I had so many idols to look up to,” she said. “But in China, I feel like there are a lot fewer of those. I’d have a much greater impact in China than in the U.S., and that’s ultimately why I made my decision.”
Gu announced in June 2019 that she would compete for China, calling it “an incredibly tough decision.”
“I am proud of my heritage, and equally proud of my American upbringings,” she said at the time. “The opportunity to help inspire millions of young people where my mom was born, during the 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help to promote the sport I love.”
She added that she hopes skiing can “unite people,” promote understanding, and build friendships across nations, saying that inspiring even one young girl to break a boundary would make her feel she had succeeded.
