US Olympian Hunter Hess responds after Trump called him out

U.S. Olympian Hunter Hess said “there are a lot of great things about America, but there are always things that could be better,” a day after President Trump attacked him for saying that I had”mixed feelings“about representing the United States in the Winter Olympic Games in response to a journalist’s question last week.

“I love my country,” Hess, a freestyle skier, said in a social media post on Monday. “There are so many wonderful things 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 freedom to point it out.

“The best part about the Olympics is that it brings people together, and when so many of us are divided, we need that more than ever,” Hess said. “I can’t wait to represent Team USA next week when I compete. Thank you all for your support.”

American snowboarders at the Olympics also weighed in when a reporter asked them Monday if they would like to address Mr. Trump by calling Hess a “real loser” or how they felt representing Team USA.

Bea Kim said she believes “there are a lot of different opinions in America right now. Obviously, we are very divided. Personally, I 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.”

Maddie Mastro said she was proud to represent the United States, but “she’s also sad about what’s happening at home. It’s really hard. I feel like we can’t turn a blind eye to that. But 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.”

“With my parents being immigrants, this definitely hits close to home for me,” said two-time Olympic gold medalist Chloe Kim. “I think in times like these, it’s really important for us to come together and stand up for each other, because of everything that’s going on. And I think I’m very proud to represent the United States. The United States has given my family and I a lot of opportunities. But I also think that we’re allowed to express our opinions about what’s going on. And I think we should lead with love and compassion. And I would love to see a little more of that.”

International Olympic Committee spokesman Mark Adams told reporters Monday that he was “not going to add anything to the speech” about Trump’s comment.

“I will not comment on the President of the United States’ statement, nor would I with any other head of state,” Adams said.

When asked if Hess needs more protection after Trump’s comment, Adams declined to publicly discuss security issues.

The United States and Paralympic Committee said Sunday that it was aware of a growing number of harmful messages directed at athletes and was doing everything it could to report credible threats to authorities and remove harmful content, the News reported.

“I think it’s important to say what we feel and stand up for what we believe and stand up to injustice, and I’m very proud to see other athletes do that,” Gus Kenworthy, a skier competing for the United Kingdom in the 2026 Winter Games, said in a video on social media Sunday night.

Last week, Kenworthy, who is a dual US-UK citizen and previously competed for Team USA, posted a photo of an explicit message condemning US Immigration and Customs Enforcement on social media. The message was written with urine in the snow.

“I just want to remind everyone that you can love America and be proud to be an American – I am – and still think it can be better, and still think the country can get better,” Kenworthy said. “And just because you love America doesn’t mean you stand with this administration and support their policy and their legislation and support the things that they support. Because I don’t. And I don’t support ICE, and I think it’s absolutely evil and horrible and terrifying.”

Last week, Team USA freestyle skier Chris Lillis told reporters, in response to questions about political issues in his country, that he was “heartbroken by what happened in the United States” and that “as a country, we need to focus on respecting everyone’s rights and making sure we treat our citizens, as well as anyone, with love and respect.”

On Sunday night, he posted a video on social media of him falling while trying to ski.

“For all the haters, here’s one of mine crashing to get you excited,” the caption read. “Don’t worry, I’m pretty tough.”

“Athletes since the ancient games have been political and politicized,” J. Simon Rofe, associate professor of sports diplomacy at the University of Leeds, told News themezone.

Rofe cited when American track medalists Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists in protest on the podium at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico as just one of many examples of Olympic athletes using their positions to take a stance on political issues.

“What is noticeable [in these Winter Games] It is the agency of athletes to be politicians. So social media platforms provide that opportunity to a much greater degree than we’ve seen in the past,” Rofe said. “Sport plays a huge role in society and communities by bringing people together. It allows for conversations that otherwise wouldn’t happen. Now, some of those conversations may be to your taste and disposition, and others not.”