American figure skater Amber Glenn revealed she received a “scary amount of hate and threats” following comments she made last week before competing at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics about Donald Trump’s treatment of the LGBTQ+ community.

Glenn, the first openly queer woman to represent the United States in Olympic figure skating and who won team gold on Sunday, said she would now take some time away from social media.

During a press conference ahead of the start of the Milan Cortina 2026 Games last week, Glenn told a reporter it had been “a difficult time” for the community and said he wanted to “encourage people to stay strong,” while promising to keep speaking out.

Gold medalist Amber Glenn following the podium ceremony of the figure skating team event.
Gold medalist Amber Glenn following the podium ceremony of the figure skating team event.

WANG ZHAO via Getty Images

On Saturday, Glenn addressed the backlash to those comments in an Instagram Story, writing, “When I chose to use one of the wonderful 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 terrifying amount of hate and threats for simply using my voice WHEN asked how I feel.”

Several athletes have acknowledged feeling a mix of emotions when representing the United States this year. American skier Hunter Hess drew the ire of Trump, who called him a “real loser.”