Quick Read
- U.S. freestyle skier Hunter Hess expressed “mixed emotions” about representing the U.S. at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan due to domestic political issues.
- Hess emphasized he represents friends, family, and the positive aspects of the U.S., not “everything that’s going on” politically.
- Other Team USA athletes, including Chris Lillis and Amber Glenn, voiced similar concerns about ICE actions and LGBTQ+ rights.
- Conservative commentators reacted strongly, labeling Hess and other outspoken athletes as “traitors” and rooting against them.
- The IOC stated it does not regulate personal social media posts, following Gus Kenworthy’s explicit anti-ICE message.
MILAN (Azat TV) – U.S. freestyle skier Hunter Hess has publicly stated his “mixed emotions” about representing the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, citing the tumultuous domestic political climate, particularly the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). His comments, made during a news conference on Friday, have ignited a firestorm of criticism from conservative figures and media personalities, who have labeled him and other outspoken athletes as “traitors” for their views.
Hess, who is set to compete in the men’s freeski halfpipe event on February 19, articulated his complex feelings, emphasizing that wearing the American flag does not equate to endorsing every aspect of the current U.S. political landscape. “It’s a little hard. There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t,” Hess told journalists. He clarified his motivation, stating, “I’m representing my, like, friends and family back home, the people that represented it before me, all the things that I believe are good about the U.S.” He concluded by asserting, “Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.”
Hunter Hess’s Stance on National Representation
Hunter Hess, a native of Bend, Oregon, who honed his skills at Mount Bachelor, has achieved significant success in his career, including six World Cup podium finishes and two X Games medals. His remarks were made in response to questions concerning the Trump administration’s immigration arrests and ICE operations in U.S. cities like Minneapolis.
Hess’s sentiment was echoed by fellow Team USA freestyle skier Chris Lillis, who expressed similar heartbreak over domestic events. “I love the USA, and I think I would never want to represent a different country in the Olympics,” Lillis stated, adding, “I feel heartbroken about what’s happened in the United States.” He hoped that athletes’ performances would showcase “the America that we’re trying to represent,” focusing on love and respect for all citizens.
Broader Athlete Sentiments on Domestic Issues
Other American athletes have also used the Olympic platform to voice concerns about the U.S. political situation. Texan figure skating champion Amber Glenn, making her Olympic debut, highlighted the struggles of the American LGBTQ+ community under the current administration. “It’s been a hard time for the (LGBTQ) community overall in this administration,” Glenn said, vowing to use her platform to encourage resilience. She challenged the notion that athletes should remain silent on politics, stating, “politics affect us all.”
Even athletes competing for other nations have weighed in. Gus Kenworthy, a dual U.K. and U.S. citizen who previously competed for Team USA but is now representing the United Kingdom, posted an explicit message condemning ICE on social media, sparking further debate. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) responded to inquiries about potential disciplinary action by stating it “does not regulate personal social media posts” and that athletes are permitted to express their views as per athlete expression guidelines.
Conservative Backlash and Calls of ‘Traitor’
The athletes’ comments swiftly drew intense backlash from conservative commentators and social media figures. Jack Posobiec, an alt-right conspiracy theorist, responded to Hess’s remarks on X by posting, “Easily solved. Get out.” Conservative Washington Post columnist Marc Thiessen complained that “Listening to athletes opine on politics is going to ruin the Olympics,” and declared he was “Rooting against Hunter Hess.”
Other prominent “MAGA” accounts shared similar sentiments. Vance Langman, an “Ultra MAGA” proponent, stated, “For the record: I’m rooting against our men’s Olympic ski team! I’d rather us lose with patriots, than win with traitors.” Buzz Patterson, a conservative columnist, claimed to be “bombarded with US athletes bashing our nation” during the opening ceremonies. Rob Schmitt, an anchor on Newsmax, expressed anger at Kenworthy’s post and suggested it would deter viewers.
Official Responses and Olympic Expression Guidelines
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) had anticipated potential mixed receptions for Team USA athletes. CEO Sarah Hirschland confirmed that “Games-readiness preparation” had been conducted to ensure athletes felt comfortable and knew the resources available if uncomfortable situations arose. During the opening ceremony, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, who is on a weeklong visit combining sports and diplomacy, received both cheers and boos in the arena, reflecting the strained U.S. relations with Europe under the Trump administration. A U.S. Olympic official clarified that Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) officers, a unit within ICE focused on cross-border crimes and often deployed for overseas security, are not part of the Team USA delegation.
The heightened political discourse surrounding the 2026 Winter Olympics underscores the increasing tension between national representation in international sports and athletes’ desire for personal political expression, particularly in an era of deep domestic polarization.