Trump calls Team USA skier Hunter Hess a “real loser” after press conference comments, and what the athlete said triggered the president

President Donald Trump publicly criticised Team USA freestyle skier Hunter Hess, calling him a “real loser” after Hess admitted he had “mixed emotions” about representing the United States at the Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy.

According to ABC News, Trump wrote on his social media platform that if Hess felt that way, “he shouldn’t have tried out for the Team, and it’s too bad he’s on it.” He also said he finds it “Very hard to root for someone like this.” The White House has not commented on the president’s post.

Hess made his comments at a Team USA Freeski Team press conference last Friday, just before the opening ceremonies in Italy. A reporter asked the team what it meant to wear the American flag and bring unity to the U.S. during current domestic tensions. Hess said “it brings up mixed emotions to represent the U.S. right now.”

Athletes are trying to separate personal values from national politics

Hess explained his position further, saying “There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of and I think a lot of people aren’t.” For him, representing the country is more personal than political. He said, “I think for me it’s more I’m representing my friends and family back home and the people that represented before me and all the things that I believe are good about the U.S.”

He made it clear that wearing the flag doesn’t mean he supports everything happening in the country. Hess said, “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.” Hess had recently competed in the second run of the Freeski Halfpipe Finals at the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix 2026 in Aspen, Colorado on January 10, 2026.

Fellow Team USA freestyle skier Chris Lillis also shared similar feelings at the same press conference. Lillis said he felt “heartbroken about what’s happening in the United States.” He stressed the need for unity and respect in the country. The president has faced international pushback recently, including China’s warning about Taiwan arms supplies.

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

There were protests in Italy related to security concerns and rumors that the U.S. was sending Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to help with security at the Games. U.S. Ambassador to Italy and San Marino, Tilman J. Fertitta, issued a statement last week to clarify the situation.

He confirmed that personnel from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) would be present, but only in a “strictly advisory and intelligence-based” role. Fertitta said “All security operations will remain the responsibility of Italian authorities.” Back home, Trump-backed political efforts have also sparked controversy, with fraud claims and assault allegations in Utah.