President Donald Trump called United States Olympic skier Hunter Hess a “loser” on social media Sunday, Feb. 8 in an apparent response to Hess’ comments earlier this week that it is difficult to represent the U.S. at the 2026 Winter Olympics given the current political division in the country.
Hess, an American freestyle halfpipe skier, said ahead of the opening ceremony Friday, Feb. 6 that “it’s a little hard” and brings up mixed emotions to represent the U.S.
“There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of,” Hess said. “Wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.”
Trump responded to Hess’ comments Sunday on Truth Social, referring to the Olympian as a “real loser.”
“U.S. Olympic Skier, Hunter Hess, a real Loser, says he doesn’t represent his Country in the current Winter Olympics,” Trump wrote Sunday. “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!”
Hess is one of multiple U.S. Olympians who have shared having complicated feelings toward representing the country at the Winter Games. Still, Hess added that he is representing the parts of the country that align with him morally when he wears the flag.
“I’m representing my friends and family back home, the people that represented it 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,” Hess added.
Contributing: Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY
Kate Perez covers national trends and breaking news for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kperez@usatodayco.com or on X @katecperez_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump calls Olympian Hunter Hess ‘loser’ after comments about representing US
