In a surprising turn of events, President Trump took to social media on Sunday to voice his criticism of Team USA freestyle skier Hunter Hess. This came after Hess, along with fellow American athletes participating in the Milano Cortina Winter Games, expressed his views on the current political climate in the United States earlier that week.
In his post, Trump labeled Hess as a "real Loser" for declaring that he feels he does not represent his country at the 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!" the former president stated emphatically.
At a press conference on Wednesday, when asked about his feelings regarding representing the U.S. on an international platform, Hess shared his complex emotions. "I think it brings up mixed emotions to represent the U.S. right now; it’s a little hard," he admitted. He went on to explain that while there are aspects of the current situation he disapproves of, he feels a strong connection to his friends, family, and predecessors who have represented the country honorably. "Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.," he added, emphasizing that he prioritizes his personal values over political issues.
Trump wasn’t the only one who reacted to Hess’s remarks. Rich Grennell, a representative from the Trump administration and head of the Kennedy Center, criticized Hess on social media, suggesting he should consider moving to Canada if he felt ashamed to wear the USA insignia. Meanwhile, Republican Representative Tim Burchett from Tennessee urged Hess to "shut up and go play in the snow."
In another facet of this unfolding narrative, U.S. National Champion figure skater Amber Glenn, set to make history as the first openly LGBTQ woman to compete at the Olympics, revealed that she would be reducing her time on social media due to receiving a wave of negative responses after she spoke out about LGBTQ issues. "When I chose to utilize one of the amazing things about the United States of America—freedom of speech—to express my feelings during these troubling times for many Americans, I was met with a frightening amount of hate and threats for simply using my voice when asked," Glenn shared on social media. Although she anticipated some backlash, she expressed disappointment and announced her intention to limit her social media presence for her mental health while maintaining her commitment to advocating for her beliefs.
Earlier in the week, Glenn had addressed the press regarding the political landscape's impact on the LGBTQ community. "It’s been a challenging period for the community and this administration. We’ve had to unite as a community before to fight for our human rights, and now it’s affecting not just the queer community but various others as well. We’re supporting each other more than ever, which has made us stronger," she explained. She hopes to leverage her platform during the Games to encourage resilience among those facing difficulties.
Conversely, U.S. alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin, known for her dedication to representing Team USA, was also questioned about the political tensions in the country. Quoting Nelson Mandela, she stated, "Peace is not just the absence of conflict; peace is creating an environment where everyone can thrive, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, class, caste, or any other social markers of difference." Shiffrin articulated her desire to embody values of inclusivity, diversity, kindness, and teamwork throughout her Olympic journey, emphasizing her commitment to showcasing these ideals both on and off the slopes.
