In a recent incident, former President Donald Trump expressed his displeasure with Olympic freeskier Hunter Hess after Hess made comments about his feelings regarding representing the U.S. at the Olympics. In an interview with Reuters, Hess admitted to experiencing conflicting emotions while competing for the United States, citing ongoing situations in the country that he does not support, particularly referencing the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He emphasized that carrying the American flag does not mean he endorses everything that happens in the country.

Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to respond to Hess’s comments, labeling the athlete as a "loser". He criticized Hess for saying that he does not represent the country while participating in the Winter Olympics. The former president expressed his dismay that someone who holds the position of an Olympian would voice such sentiments, implying that if Hess feels this way, he should not have pursued a spot on the Olympic team in the first place.

This incident underscores the ongoing tensions and political discourse surrounding patriotism and representation in the United States, especially in the context of international sporting events. As athletes become more vocal about their political beliefs and social issues, it raises questions about the boundaries of personal expression and national representation in highly publicized arenas like the Olympics.