27-year-old Olympic skier Hunter Hess, who was born in the city of Bend in central Oregon, was recently targeted by US President Donald Trump. The President’s stinging remarks about Hess stemmed from the skier’s controversial comments on representing the USA at the ongoing 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
Speaking to the press ahead of his Winter Olympics participation, Hess, without being too specific, bemoaned the political situation in the USA, which has become increasingly polarized under the second Trump administration. Immigration crackdowns, in particular, have stirred significant controversy, as federal agents have come under increasing scrutiny for actions that have led to deaths of multiple American citizens.
“Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the US. 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. 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 that are good about the US,” Hess said.
Clearly angered by Hunter Hess’ take on the USA’s current political climate, President Donald Trump took to his self-owned social media platform, Truth Social, and called the celebrated freestyle skier “a loser” and opined that supporting Hess after what he told the press is difficult.
“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!,” Trump wrote.
Hunter Hess not the only American Olympian to find fault with controversial immigration enforcement under Donald Trump administration
Hunter Hess’ opinion on the sensitive subject of ICE raids under Donald Trump’s second administration has been echoed by fellow skiers Chris Lillis and Quinn Dehlinger. New York-born Lillis, in the aftermath of the fatal shootings of two US citizens in Minnesota, told the media:
“I feel heartbroken about what’s happening in the United States. 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.”
Meanwhile, Dehlinger, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, highlighted the importance of sport in bringing people together in times of political division.
“The political divide in the United States is very prevalent, and competition and sports is always a way to bring people together,” Dehlinger said.
A spokesperson for the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee has come out in support of Hunter Hess, pledging to help the 27-year-old skier succeed at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Hess has also faced the wrath of Trump supporters over his comments.
Edited by Sudipto Pati
