PALM BEACH, Florida – President Donald Trump is blasting a member of the U.S. Olympic ski team as a “real Loser” after the athlete trashed America at the Winter Games in Milan, Italy.
“It brings up mixed emotions to represent the U.S. right now, I think,” said skier Hunter Hess. “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 said.
“I think, for me, it’s more I’m representing my friends and family back home, the people that represented it before me, all the things that I believe are good about the U.S. 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.”
WATCH:
Any athlete embarrassed to represent the United States has no business wearing Team USA across their chest. Representing this country is an honor.
If you don’t love America, step aside, someone who does will gladly take your place.
pic.twitter.com/3Vmt6n0XxT— Emily Austin (@emilyraustin) February 7, 2026
At the “Winter White House” of Mar-a-Lago for the weekend, Trump posted on Truth Social: “U.S. Olympic Skier, Hunter Hess, a real Loser, says he doesn’t represent his Country in the current Winter Olympics. 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. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Hess wasn’t the only member of Team USA sounding off on recent events involving deportations of criminal illegal aliens by ICE and the subsequent violence during protests.
American freestyle skier Chris Lillis indicated: “I feel heartbroken about what’s happened in the United States when, I’m pretty sure you’re referencing ICE and some of the protests and things like that. 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.
“And I hope that when people look at athletes compete in the Olympics, they realize that that’s the America we’re trying to represent.”
Mike Eruzione of the legendary, gold-medal-winning 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team responded to Hess’ remarks on X, writing, “Hunter Hess US snowboarder saying he doesn’t represent his country but his family and friends. Then don’t put on the USA uniform maybe just put for family and friends.”
“Some athletes just don’t get it,” he added, before deleting his post.
Sports broadcaster Emily Austin noted: “Any athlete embarrassed to represent the United States has no business wearing Team USA across their chest. Representing this country is an honor. If you don’t love America, step aside, someone who does will gladly take your place.”
Jake Tapper of CNN opined: “The president is now attacking a US Olympian as a ‘Loser’ and misrepresenting his words for his mild unspecified criticisms about things going on in the US right now.”
That prompted broadcaster Megyn Kelly to fire back, saying: “The president is 100% right and this jerk Hess is clearly struggling to say he proudly represents the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and is HONORED to wear the Stars and Stripes. We are all rooting against him.”
The president is 100% right and this jerk Hess is clearly struggling to say he proudly represents the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and is HONORED to wear the Stars and Stripes. We are all rooting against him. https://t.co/MegIfNSTLj
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) February 8, 2026
Comedian Rob Schneider, who usually leans to the political right, commented: “Olympic Athletes are exercising their Free Speech rights which are guaranteed them in our 1st Amendment. Just as we have the right to call them whiney ungrateful spoiled brats! But free speech is not free from consequence.
“Free speech means the Government cannot punish you for your words and opinions.But paying sponsors not handing them piles of money for commercial endorsements, may be a consequence.”
Just two years ago, Eruzione shared video of the U.S. Men’s National Junior Ice Hockey Team becoming world champions by capturing the IIHF World Junior Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden, and singing the national anthem, as WorldNetDaily reported.
Who says today’s kids? Don’t love our country. Wow what a great display of pride. Well done boys. https://t.co/CvZtKSJWrv
— MIKE ERUZIONE (@MERUZIONE) January 6, 2024
He said at the time: “Who says today’s kids? Don’t love our country. Wow what a great display of pride. Well done boys.”
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‘These boys show how it’s done’: U.S. hockey team wins big, sings anthem
