On February 8, 2023, US President Donald Trump targeted Hunter Hess, an Olympic skier who expressed his discomfort representing the United States due to the country's current issues. Trump's harsh remarks came through his Truth Social account, where he labeled Hess as a 'loser' for considering not to represent the US in the Winter Olympics. He emphasized that athletes with such beliefs should not try for the national team, expressing difficulty in supporting them.

The backlash towards Hess stems from his comments made on February 5, where he responded to questions about representing America at the Olympics by stating it was 'a bit hard' and articulated dissatisfaction with issues happening in the US today. Another US freestyle skier, Chris Lilius, supported Hess's sentiments, mentioning a painful feeling towards current national circumstances. He stressed that a country should respect the rights of all its citizens and hope that the image projected by US athletes reflects a more inclusive America.

As the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics approach, US athletes find themselves questioned about their feelings representing a nation under scrutiny, especially given the backdrop of heightened criticism regarding US immigration policies and the negative perception of the US in Europe due to the Trump administration's actions. This scrutiny is amplified by the presence of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at Olympic events, which has sparked protests in Italy against such practices, further complicating the athletes' representation of the United States at the upcoming Games.