U.S. President Donald Trump criticized American Olympians who have been vocal about their disagreements with administration policies, referring to one as “a real Loser” who should have stayed home. This incident is the latest in a series of U.S. Olympians facing backlash for their comments during the Milan Cortina Games.
At a news conference, U.S. athletes were asked about their feelings representing the country amidst the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement actions. Freestyle skier Hunter Hess expressed mixed emotions, stating that while he disagrees with the situation, he competes in Milan on behalf of everyone who supported his journey to The Games. Hess emphasized that wearing the flag doesn’t mean he supports everything happening in the U.S.
Following Hess’s comments, social media personalities like Jake Paul criticized him, with Paul urging those who don’t want to represent the country to move elsewhere. Trump later commented that Hess’s statements make it difficult to support him, suggesting that Hess should not have tried out for the team if he doesn’t want to represent the country.
Freestyle skier Chris Lillis and figure skater Amber Glenn also voiced their discontent with current U.S. policies at the news conference. Lillis expressed being heartbroken about the situation in the U.S. and emphasized the importance of respecting everyone’s rights, while Glenn highlighted the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community during the Trump administration.
Apart from Paul, other conservative figures including Brett Favre, Rob Schneider, and U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds criticized the athletes on social media, drawing a wave of criticism from the public. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee acknowledged the rise in abusive messages directed at the athletes and reassured its commitment to their well-being and safety.
Support for the U.S. has diminished abroad due to the Trump administration’s aggressive foreign policy stance. During the opening ceremony, Team USA athletes received cheers, but there were jeers and whistles when Vice President JD Vance and his wife appeared on the screens. In Milan, protests have erupted against the local deployment of ICE agents, despite clarifications that they are from a separate investigations unit.