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American freestyle skier Hunter Hess on Monday made his first comments since President Donald Trump’s social media meltdown over the athlete’s “mixed emotions” about representing Team USA at this year’s Winter Olympics.
“I love my country ,” declared Hess in an Instagram post.
Sports: Great-Niece Of Italian Screen Icon Wins Country's First Gold At This Year's Winter Olympics
“There is so much that is great about America, but there are always things that could be better. One of the many things that makes this country so amazing is that we have the right and the freedom to point that out.”
He continued, “The best part of the Olympics is that it brings people together, and when so many of us are divided we need that more than ever. I cannot wait to represent Team USA next week when I compete. Thanks to everyone for their support.”
The post from Hess, who is representing the U.S. in his first Winter Olympics this year, arrives a day after the president called the skier “a real loser” in a tantrum on his Truth Social platform.
Trump misrepresented Hess’ comments, claiming that the athlete said “he doesn’t represent his Country” before adding, “If that’s the case, he shouldn’t have tried out for the Team, and it’s too bad he’s on it. Very hard to root for someone like this.”
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Team USA's Hunter Hess poses on the podium after finishing second in the Aspen Snowmass Men's Freeski Halfpipe Finals during the Toyota US Grand Prix 2026 last month. Michael Reaves via Getty Images
Last week, Hess shared his conflicted feelings about repping the red, white and blue at the Milan Cortina Games, explaining that “there’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t.”
“I think for me, it’s more I’m representing my friends and family back home, the people that represented it before me, all the things that I believe are good about the U.S.,” Hess told reporters at the time.
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The comments sparked the fury of YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul who, just before he was seen with Vice President JD Vance at a U.S. women’s hockey game on Saturday, wrote in a post to X, “Wow pls shut the **** up From all true Americans If you don’t want to represent this country go live somewhere else.”
Other Team USA athletes have expressed concerns about life in America under the Trump administration, igniting conservative backlash in the process.
Figure skater Amber Glenn, the first openly queer woman to represent the U.S. in Olympic figure skating, said she’ll be stepping back from social media following a “scary amount of hate/threats” over comments she made about competing at the games last week.
Glenn, who helped bring home team gold for the U.S. on Sunday, told reporters that it’s been “a hard time” for the LGBTQ+ community under the Trump administration before stressing the need to “support each other in a way that we didn’t have to before.”
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“I love my country ,” declared Hess in an Instagram post.
Sports: Great-Niece Of Italian Screen Icon Wins Country's First Gold At This Year's Winter Olympics
“There is so much that is great about America, but there are always things that could be better. One of the many things that makes this country so amazing is that we have the right and the freedom to point that out.”
He continued, “The best part of the Olympics is that it brings people together, and when so many of us are divided we need that more than ever. I cannot wait to represent Team USA next week when I compete. Thanks to everyone for their support.”
The post from Hess, who is representing the U.S. in his first Winter Olympics this year, arrives a day after the president called the skier “a real loser” in a tantrum on his Truth Social platform.
Trump misrepresented Hess’ comments, claiming that the athlete said “he doesn’t represent his Country” before adding, “If that’s the case, he shouldn’t have tried out for the Team, and it’s too bad he’s on it. Very hard to root for someone like this.”
Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support HuffPost.
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Team USA's Hunter Hess poses on the podium after finishing second in the Aspen Snowmass Men's Freeski Halfpipe Finals during the Toyota US Grand Prix 2026 last month. Michael Reaves via Getty Images
Last week, Hess shared his conflicted feelings about repping the red, white and blue at the Milan Cortina Games, explaining that “there’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t.”
“I think for me, it’s more I’m representing my friends and family back home, the people that represented it before me, all the things that I believe are good about the U.S.,” Hess told reporters at the time.
Sports: They Will Have Been To All 60 Super Bowls. This Year Is Possibly Their Last.
The comments sparked the fury of YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul who, just before he was seen with Vice President JD Vance at a U.S. women’s hockey game on Saturday, wrote in a post to X, “Wow pls shut the **** up From all true Americans If you don’t want to represent this country go live somewhere else.”
Other Team USA athletes have expressed concerns about life in America under the Trump administration, igniting conservative backlash in the process.
Figure skater Amber Glenn, the first openly queer woman to represent the U.S. in Olympic figure skating, said she’ll be stepping back from social media following a “scary amount of hate/threats” over comments she made about competing at the games last week.
Glenn, who helped bring home team gold for the U.S. on Sunday, told reporters that it’s been “a hard time” for the LGBTQ+ community under the Trump administration before stressing the need to “support each other in a way that we didn’t have to before.”
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Continue reading...
