Here's what they said.
American skier Hunter Hess's remarks drew the president's ire, but others have expressed similar mixed feelings about representing Team USA.
Dylan Stableford,
President Trump at the White House on Feb. 9.(Bonnie Cash/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“U.S. Olympic Skier, Hunter Hess, a real Loser, says he doesn’t represent his Country in the current Winter Olympics,” Trump wrote. “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.”
Hess responded on Monday in an Instagram post.
Hess isn’t the only American athlete expressing mixed emotions about representing the U.S. in Italy. Fellow freeskier Chris Lillis made similar remarks at the same press conference.
"I feel heartbroken about what's happening in the United States," Lillis said. "I think that, as a country, we need to focus on respecting everybody's rights and making sure that we're treating our citizens, as well as anybody, with love and respect. I hope that when people look at athletes competing in the Olympics, they realize that's the America that we're trying to represent."
Here are some others.
Amber Glenn
Amber Glenn of the United States competes during the figure skating women's team event at the Winter Olympics on Feb. 8.(Natacha Pisarenko/AP)More
Coming into the Olympics, U.S. figure skater Amber Glenn, an LGBTQ activist who identifies as pansexual, said that it’s been difficult for the queer community under Trump.
“It’s been a hard time for the community overall in this administration,” Glenn said at a press conference last week. “It isn’t the first time that we’ve had to come together as a community and try and fight for our human rights.
“I know that a lot of people say you're just an athlete, like, stick to your job, shut up about politics, but politics affect us all,” she continued. “It is something that I will not just be quiet about, because it is something that affects us in our everyday lives. So, of course, there are things that I disagree with, but, as a community, we are strong and we support each other, and brighter days are ahead.”
In an Instagram post on Saturday, Glenn said she had received threats over her comments.
“When I chose to utilize one of the amazing things about the United States of America (freedom of speech) to convey how I feel as an athlete competing for Team USA in a troubling time for many Americans, I am now receiving a scary amount of hate/threats for simply using my voice when asked about how I feel,” she wrote.
After winning a gold medal in a team skating competition on Sunday, Glenn said the vitriol partially spoiled her excitement.
“I’ve never had so many people wish me harm before, just for being me and speaking about being decent — human rights and decency,” Glenn said during the team medal ceremony. “So that was really disappointing, and I do think it kind of lowered that excitement for this.”
U.S. women’s halfpipe team
Bea Kim, Chloe Kim and Madeline Schaffrick appear at a press conference in Livigno, Italy, on Feb. 9.(Hannah Peters via Getty Images)
At a press conference on Monday, four members of the U.S. snowboarding team competing in the women’s halfpipe event were asked about Trump’s criticism of Hess.
"I think there are a lot of different opinions in the U.S. right now. Obviously, we're very divided," Bea Kim said. "I personally am very proud to represent the United States. That being said, I think diversity is what makes us a very strong country and what makes us so special."
Chloe Kim, a native of Southern California whose parents emigrated from South Korea, offered similar thoughts.
"It is really important for us to unite and kind of stand up for one another with all that's going on," Chloe Kim said. "I'm really proud to represent the United States. It's given my family and I so much opportunity. But I also think that we are allowed to voice our opinions of what's going on. And I think that we should lead with love and compassion. And I'd love to see more of that."
"I'm also saddened with what's happening at home. It's really tough and I feel like we can't turn a blind eye to that,” Maddie Mastro said. “At the same time, I represent a country that has the same values as mine, of kindness and compassion. And we come together in times of injustice.”
"I feel like the Olympics is the epitome of all countries and cultures coming together in celebration and friendly competition," Maddy Schaffrick added. "I'm proud to represent the U.S. and wear the American flag in such an internationally cohesive event, and do what I love while representing the U.S."
Gus Kenworthy
British-American freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy, who is competing for Great Britain after previously representing the United States, said he has received threats after posting an image that appeared to show the words "f*** ICE" written in urine in the snow.
“The other day I posted a photo with my thoughts on [Immigration and Customs Enforcement], and that photo has since gone everywhere,” Kenworthy said in an Instagram video on Sunday. “I’ve gotten a ton of messages, and most of them honestly have been supportive and encouraging. … But a lot of the messages have been awful — people telling me to kill myself, threatening me, wishing that they’ll get to see me blow my knee or break my neck during my event, calling me slurs, like, it’s insane.”
“Maybe this video is just going to invite more hate and vitriol, but I think it’s important to say what we feel and stand up for what we believe in and stand up to injustice,” Kenworthy continued. “And I’ve been really proud seeing other athletes doing that.”
He added: “I feel like sometimes people forget … that you can love the U.S. and be proud to be an American — I am — and still think it can be better … and just because you love the U.S. doesn’t mean you stand with this administration.”
Rich Ruohonen
Ruohonen, a member of the U.S. curling team, criticized the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in his home state of Minnesota.
"I'd like to say I'm proud to be here to represent Team USA, and to represent our country. But we'd be remiss if we didn't at least mention what's going on in Minnesota," Ruohonen said at a press conference in Cortina on Tuesday. "What a tough time it's been for everybody. This stuff is happening right around where we live."
Ruohonen, a 54-year-old personal injury lawyer from Bloomington, Minn., is the oldest athlete to ever represent the United States in a Winter Games, according to USA Today.
American skier Hunter Hess's remarks drew the president's ire, but others have expressed similar mixed feelings about representing Team USA.
Dylan Stableford,
Reporter
Tue, February 10, 2026
YAHOO SPORTS
Hunter Hess and Amber Glenn.( Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos; Michael Reaves/Getty Images, Ashley Landis/AP)
Several U.S. athletes competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy are facing backlash for expressing how they feel about representing the U.S. amid a divisive political climate back home.
“It’s a little hard. There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of," freeskier Hunter Hess from Bend, Ore., said at a news conference last week when asked what it meant to “wear Team USA” at these Games.
"I think for me it's more I'm representing my friends and family back home and the people that represented before me and all the things that I believe are good about the U.S.," Hess continued. "If it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I'm representing it. Just because I'm wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.”
His comments drew the ire of President Trump, who responded on Truth Social on Sunday with a post that misrepresented what Hess said.
Tue, February 10, 2026
YAHOO SPORTS
Hunter Hess and Amber Glenn.( Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos; Michael Reaves/Getty Images, Ashley Landis/AP)
Several U.S. athletes competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy are facing backlash for expressing how they feel about representing the U.S. amid a divisive political climate back home.
“It’s a little hard. There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of," freeskier Hunter Hess from Bend, Ore., said at a news conference last week when asked what it meant to “wear Team USA” at these Games.
"I think for me it's more I'm representing my friends and family back home and the people that represented before me and all the things that I believe are good about the U.S.," Hess continued. "If it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I'm representing it. Just because I'm wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.”
His comments drew the ire of President Trump, who responded on Truth Social on Sunday with a post that misrepresented what Hess said.
President Trump at the White House on Feb. 9.(Bonnie Cash/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“U.S. Olympic Skier, Hunter Hess, a real Loser, says he doesn’t represent his Country in the current Winter Olympics,” Trump wrote. “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.”
Hess responded on Monday in an Instagram post.
“I love my country 🇺🇸 ,” he wrote. “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. 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.”
Hess isn’t the only American athlete expressing mixed emotions about representing the U.S. in Italy. Fellow freeskier Chris Lillis made similar remarks at the same press conference.
"I feel heartbroken about what's happening in the United States," Lillis said. "I think that, as a country, we need to focus on respecting everybody's rights and making sure that we're treating our citizens, as well as anybody, with love and respect. I hope that when people look at athletes competing in the Olympics, they realize that's the America that we're trying to represent."
Here are some others.
Amber Glenn
Amber Glenn of the United States competes during the figure skating women's team event at the Winter Olympics on Feb. 8.(Natacha Pisarenko/AP)More
Coming into the Olympics, U.S. figure skater Amber Glenn, an LGBTQ activist who identifies as pansexual, said that it’s been difficult for the queer community under Trump.
“It’s been a hard time for the community overall in this administration,” Glenn said at a press conference last week. “It isn’t the first time that we’ve had to come together as a community and try and fight for our human rights.
“I know that a lot of people say you're just an athlete, like, stick to your job, shut up about politics, but politics affect us all,” she continued. “It is something that I will not just be quiet about, because it is something that affects us in our everyday lives. So, of course, there are things that I disagree with, but, as a community, we are strong and we support each other, and brighter days are ahead.”
In an Instagram post on Saturday, Glenn said she had received threats over her comments.
“When I chose to utilize one of the amazing things about the United States of America (freedom of speech) to convey how I feel as an athlete competing for Team USA in a troubling time for many Americans, I am now receiving a scary amount of hate/threats for simply using my voice when asked about how I feel,” she wrote.
After winning a gold medal in a team skating competition on Sunday, Glenn said the vitriol partially spoiled her excitement.
“I’ve never had so many people wish me harm before, just for being me and speaking about being decent — human rights and decency,” Glenn said during the team medal ceremony. “So that was really disappointing, and I do think it kind of lowered that excitement for this.”
U.S. women’s halfpipe team
Bea Kim, Chloe Kim and Madeline Schaffrick appear at a press conference in Livigno, Italy, on Feb. 9.(Hannah Peters via Getty Images)
At a press conference on Monday, four members of the U.S. snowboarding team competing in the women’s halfpipe event were asked about Trump’s criticism of Hess.
"I think there are a lot of different opinions in the U.S. right now. Obviously, we're very divided," Bea Kim said. "I personally am very proud to represent the United States. That being said, I think diversity is what makes us a very strong country and what makes us so special."
Chloe Kim, a native of Southern California whose parents emigrated from South Korea, offered similar thoughts.
"It is really important for us to unite and kind of stand up for one another with all that's going on," Chloe Kim said. "I'm really proud to represent the United States. It's given my family and I so much opportunity. But I also think that we are allowed to voice our opinions of what's going on. And I think that we should lead with love and compassion. And I'd love to see more of that."
"I'm also saddened with what's happening at home. It's really tough and I feel like we can't turn a blind eye to that,” Maddie Mastro said. “At the same time, I represent a country that has the same values as mine, of kindness and compassion. And we come together in times of injustice.”
"I feel like the Olympics is the epitome of all countries and cultures coming together in celebration and friendly competition," Maddy Schaffrick added. "I'm proud to represent the U.S. and wear the American flag in such an internationally cohesive event, and do what I love while representing the U.S."
Gus Kenworthy
British-American freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy, who is competing for Great Britain after previously representing the United States, said he has received threats after posting an image that appeared to show the words "f*** ICE" written in urine in the snow.
“The other day I posted a photo with my thoughts on [Immigration and Customs Enforcement], and that photo has since gone everywhere,” Kenworthy said in an Instagram video on Sunday. “I’ve gotten a ton of messages, and most of them honestly have been supportive and encouraging. … But a lot of the messages have been awful — people telling me to kill myself, threatening me, wishing that they’ll get to see me blow my knee or break my neck during my event, calling me slurs, like, it’s insane.”
“Maybe this video is just going to invite more hate and vitriol, but I think it’s important to say what we feel and stand up for what we believe in and stand up to injustice,” Kenworthy continued. “And I’ve been really proud seeing other athletes doing that.”
He added: “I feel like sometimes people forget … that you can love the U.S. and be proud to be an American — I am — and still think it can be better … and just because you love the U.S. doesn’t mean you stand with this administration.”
Rich Ruohonen
Ruohonen, a member of the U.S. curling team, criticized the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in his home state of Minnesota.
"I'd like to say I'm proud to be here to represent Team USA, and to represent our country. But we'd be remiss if we didn't at least mention what's going on in Minnesota," Ruohonen said at a press conference in Cortina on Tuesday. "What a tough time it's been for everybody. This stuff is happening right around where we live."
Ruohonen, a 54-year-old personal injury lawyer from Bloomington, Minn., is the oldest athlete to ever represent the United States in a Winter Games, according to USA Today.
MAGA Senator’s Ultimatum To Olympians Over Trump Leads To Gold-Medal Reality Check
Lee Moran
Tue, February 10, 2026
HUFFPOST
Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) failed to medal with his ultimatum to U.S. athletes competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics, after several said they aren’t happy with what’s going on in America under Donald Trump’s administration.
“Any person who goes to the Olympics to represent the United States and then says they don’t want to represent the United States should be immediately stripped of their Olympic uniform,” Scott fumed in a video shared on X.
Scott, a Trump acolyte, wrote in the clip’s caption that the United States is a “beacon for freedom and democracy” — even though he doesn’t want athletes to use their freedom of speech to say what’s on their minds.
Critics on social media pointed out that loving America doesn’t mean agreeing with every Trump policy. They also defended athletes’ right to express their views.
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