On February 7, 2026, US freestyle skier Hunter Hess sparked conservative backlash after stating that wearing the USA flag at the Winter Olympics doesn’t mean he represents all US actions, particularly criticizing ICE operations under Trump.
The irritating Olympian expressed “mixed emotions” about representing America amid ongoing tensions. Conservatives on X slammed him as ungrateful, calling for his disqualification, boycotts of the Olympics, and suggesting he leave the country.
For example, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) praised Hess as a “proud American” exercising free speech. However, Trump labeled him a “loser,” echoing comments from patriotic citizens disgusted with Hess’s remarks.
As we reported at the American Tribune, Hess claimed to be confused about America and his emotions regarding the land he is nominally representing, saying, “It brings up mixed emotions to represent the US right now. I think 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.”
“If it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I’m representing it. Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the US. So, yeah, I just kind of want to do it for my friends and my family and the people that support me getting here,” the entitled athlete stated.
When these comments made it to social media, conservatives were rightly enraged. “If he doesn’t like the flag and what it represents, he is welcome to find another country. We don’t care,” read one response for an annoyed Trump supporter.
Watch Hess here:
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Another Anonymous X user quipped, “I’m thinking the Olympics TV ratings aren’t going to be phenomenal.” Likewise, Presidential Envoy Richard Grenell retorted, “Privileged Gen Z from Oregon hasn’t traveled much. He’s representing the greatest country in the world…move to Canada if you aren’t proud of wear USA.”
“>Agreeing, another conservative social media post stated, “And this is one reason I don’t plan to watch the Olympics,” adding that “the other reason is it is just mostly boring,” highlighting common objections to these comments.
Likewise, one viral post said, “BREAKING – Americans are now promising to boycott the Olympics after numerous Team USA athletes trashed America, including skier Hunter Hess, who claimed that while he may be wearing the U.S. flag, it doesn’t mean he is representing the country.”
In any case, the controversial Vermont socialist, Bernie Sanders, declared, “Trump called American Olympian Hunter Hess a ‘real loser’ for criticizing what’s happening in our country under Trump. Mr. President, this is not a monarchy. This is the United States and no one is required to bow down to you. Hess is not a loser. He’s a proud American.”
Fighting back in a post to Truth Social, President Trump stated, “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!”
Featured image credit: By Gzzz – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=87866675