Hunter Hess: Olympian's "Mixed Emotions" Spark Criticism and Debate

U.S. freestyle skier Hunter Hess, a first-time Olympian, received public criticism, notably from former President Donald Trump, after he expressed "mixed emotions" about representing the United States in the upcoming Winter Olympics. Hess subsequently qualified for an Olympic final and publicly responded to the criticism, while many athletes and officials voiced support for his right to expression.

Initial Comments and Criticism

Hunter Hess, from Bend, Oregon, stated at a press conference that representing the U.S. at the 2026 Winter Olympics brought "mixed emotions," citing "a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of." He clarified that he represents his friends, family, and what he believes are the positive aspects of the U.S., not "everything that’s going on in the US." Hess is a two-time X Games medalist.

His remarks sparked significant public criticism, notably from former President Donald Trump.

On or around February 8, former President Donald Trump criticized Hess on Truth Social, referring to him as “a real loser.” Trump added that if Hess held such sentiments, 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.”

"If he held such sentiments, 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.” – Donald Trump

Other conservative figures also commented on Hess's remarks. Tennessee Republican Representative Tim Burchett suggested Hess “should shut up and go play in the snow,” while Trump ally Katie Miller and White House chief of protocol Monica Crowley also criticized the comments.

Athlete Experience and USOPC Response

Hess later stated that the two weeks following Trump's comments were “probably the hardest two weeks of my life,” and that he had not previously experienced such criticism. He had to wait 12 days after the comments to make his Olympic debut. Hess indicated that family support helped him manage the situation and reiterated his commitment to representing Team USA.

The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) acknowledged an increase in "abusive and harmful messages directed at athletes during competition."

A USOPC spokesperson focused on Hess’s “protection and on ensuring he has the support and resources in place.” The committee stated its commitment to the well-being and safety of Team USA athletes, both on and off the field of play, and indicated it escalates threats to law enforcement when appropriate.

Sarah Hirshland, chief executive of the USOPC, requested that Hess's comments be considered within their context, noting Hess had affirmed his love for his country and expressing confidence in Team USA athletes' pride in representing the United States and their focus on unity.

Support for Hess and Freedom of Expression

Hess received support from various individuals and groups:

Political Figures

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) responded to Trump's remark on X, stating, “Mr. President, this is not a monarchy. This is the United States and no one is required to bow down to you.” Utah Governor Spencer Cox praised U.S. athletes and supported their right to free speech, encouraging unity.

Team USA Athletes

Several U.S. Olympic teammates defended Hess and the principle of freedom of expression. Ben Ogden, an Olympic men's cross-country skier, commented that he believes in a country where individuals can express opinions without backlash, particularly from the president.

Zak Ketterson, another cross-country skier, characterized the backlash as "childish," defending Hess's right to open communication. Lauren Jortberg, also a cross-country skier, stated that many athletes grapple with internal tension between patriotism and discomfort with events occurring in the United States.

Curler Rich Ruohonen criticized immigration sweeps in his home state of Minnesota while affirming his pride in representing the United States and emphasizing the constitutional right to freedom of speech. Teammates Birk Irving and Nick Goepper commented on the impact of the criticism on Hess’s mental state. Hess reported receiving supportive texts and calls from Team USA members, friends, and family, and credited Team USA with helping him "get back on [his] feet."

International Support

Other athletes, including the United States' Chloe Kim and China's Eileen Gu, expressed support for athletes facing public criticism. Gu stated, "The whole point of sport is to bring people together," and conveyed sympathy for athletes caught in such situations, hoping they could perform at their best.

Broader Context of Athlete Expression

Hess is among several Team USA Olympians who have voiced discomfort regarding representing the country in its current state and subsequently received criticism.

US figure skating national champion Amber Glenn reported receiving “a scary amount of hate/threats” after discussing the experiences of the LGBTQ community during the current administration. Two-time Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin, when asked about representing the U.S. in the current political climate, read a quote from Nelson Mandela and expressed her intention to represent her personal values of diversity, kindness, and sharing.

Other Team USA freestyle skiers also commented on the U.S. political climate. Chris Lillis expressed feeling “heartbroken about what’s happening in the United States,” referencing tensions surrounding federal immigration enforcement. Quinn Dehlinger noted the “political divide in the United States” and emphasized sports as a way to unite people.

In a previous statement, Vice President JD Vance had stated to Team USA athletes, “The whole country, Democrat, Republican, independent, we’re all rooting for ya and we’re cheering for ya.”

Competitive Performance and Public Gesture

Hunter Hess qualified for the freeski halfpipe final at the Milan Cortina Games in Livigno, Italy, after successfully completing both of his qualifying runs.

After successfully completing his Olympic halfpipe qualifying run, Hess made an 'L' gesture with his hand. Hess stated that the gesture was a direct response to prior criticism where he was referred to as a 'loser,' indicating he was embracing the term. The backward orientation of Hess's 'L' gesture drew public comments and criticism following the event.

In the subsequent halfpipe final, Hess placed 10th after a crash.