Trump Slams Olympian Hunter Hess as a ‘Real Loser’ After Skier Shares ‘Mixed Emotions’ About Representing U.S. Right Now

Donald Trump has sharply criticized Olympic skier Hunter Hess after the athlete said representing the United States comes with “mixed emotions.”

During a press conference on Friday, Feb. 6, Hess, 27, spoke alongside fellow freestyle skier Chris Lillis about the internal conflict he feels heading into the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. The comments came amid heightened political tensions in the U.S., including an aggressive immigration crackdown and broader domestic unrest.

“It’s a little hard,” Hess said. “There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t.”

He added that his decision to compete is rooted more in personal connections than politics. “For me, I’m representing my friends and family back home — all the things that I believe are good about the United States,” Hess explained. “Just because I wear the flag, it doesn’t mean I represent everything that is going on in the U.S. I want to do it for my friends, my family, and the people who supported me to get here.”

Two days later, Trump responded to the remarks on social media, saying Hess had made it “hard to root for” his success.

“U.S. Olympic Skier, Hunter Hess, a real Loser, says he doesn’t represent his Country in the current Winter Olympics,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday, Feb. 8. “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!”

Lillis also shared his perspective during the same press conference, saying he felt “heartbroken” by the national conversation around immigration — particularly following the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minnesota.

“A lot of times, athletes are hesitant to talk about political views and how we feel about things,” Lillis said. “I feel heartbroken about what’s happening in the United States.”

As the Olympics began in Italy on Friday, protests broke out in Milan opposing U.S. immigration enforcement. The demonstrations came shortly before Vice President JD Vance appeared at the opening ceremony, where he was met with boos from the crowd.

“I’m pretty sure you’re referencing ICE and some of the protests and things like that,” Lillis said. “I think as a country, we need to focus on respecting everybody’s rights and making sure we’re treating our citizens — and everyone else — with love and respect.”