In Context: What Trump got wrong about 2026 Winter Olympics skier Hunter Hess’s comments

In the days since the 2026 Winter Olympics opened Feb. 6 in Italy, several Olympians have criticized the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.

At least one athlete’s comments caught President Donald Trump’s attention. 

Trump called Hunter Hess, an Oregonian and member of the U.S. freestyle ski team team, a “real loser” in a Truth Social post. Trump said Hess “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.”

That’s not what Hess, 27, said. 

During a Feb. 6 press conference, Hess talked about what it feels like to represent the U.S. in 2026. Video clips we found of Hess’ remarks included only his answer and not the question he was asked.

Hess said, in full:

“I think it brings up mixed emotions to represent the U.S. 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. I think for me it’s more I’m representing my, like, friends and family back home, the people that represented before me. All the things that I believe are good about the U.S. I just think 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 U.S. I just kind of want to do it for my friends and my family and the people that support me getting here.”

In X posts, Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., told Hess to “GO HOME” and Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., said, “Shut up and go play in the snow.” 

Speaking at the same press conference, Hess’ teammate Chris Lillis said he thought the question was a reference to ICE and protests. He said he felt “heartbroken about what’s happening in the United States.”

“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,” Lillis said. “I hope that when people look at athletes competing in the Olympics, they realize that’s the America that we’re trying to represent.”

After Trump’s criticism, Hess made a Feb. 9 Instagram post thanking people for their support.

“I love my country,” he wrote. “There is so much that is great about America, but there are always things that could be better. One of the many things that makes this country so amazing is that we have the right and the freedom to point that out. The best part of the Olympics is that it brings people together, and when so many of us are divided we need that more than ever. I cannot wait to represent Team USA next week when I compete.”

The Trump administration has faced criticism for aggressive immigration enforcement in several left-leaning cities, including Minneapolis, where federal agents in January fatally shot two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

Some of the two dozen Minnesotan athletes at the Olympics have spoken about Trump administration actions in their home state.

Team USA hockey player Kelly Pannek, who is from a Minneapolis suburb, called the immigration enforcement “unnecessary and just horrifying.”

Trump campaigned on a promise to prioritize deporting violent criminals, and he has since tried to assure Americans that’s what his administration is doing. He promised to prioritize deporting the “worst of the worst,” however the majority of immigrants the administration has arrested and detained do not have criminal convictions.

PolitiFact researcher Caryn Baird contributed to this article.

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