Trump Slams Olympian Hunter Hess as a 'Real Loser' After Skier Shares 'Mixed Emotions' About Representing U.S. Right Now

“He shouldn’t have tried out for the Team, and it’s too bad he’s on it,” Trump wrote on social media

Donald Trump; Hunter Hess Michael Reaves/Getty;Taylor Hill/WireImage
Donald Trump; Hunter Hess

Michael Reaves/Getty;Taylor Hill/WireImage

NEED TO KNOW

  • Olympic skier Hunter Hess said he felt “mixed emotions” about representing the United States at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics amid President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown
  • Trump responded to Hess' comments on social media two days later, calling the athlete “a real loser”
  • “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,” the president wrote

Donald Trump is slamming Hunter Hess after the Olympic skier said that representing the United States brought him “mixed emotions.”

During a press conference on Friday, Feb. 6, Hess, 27, joined fellow freestyle skier Chris Lillis in expressing the conflicting emotions he feels about representing the U.S. at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics amid Trump's aggressive immigration crackdown and political turmoil at home.  

“It’s a little hard,” Hess said. “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 friends and family back home… all the things that I believe are good about the United States,” he continued. “Just because I wear the flag, it doesn’t mean I represent everything that is 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.”

Hunter Hess competes in the Toyota US Grand Prix on Dec. 20, 2025 Sean M. Haffey/Getty
Hunter Hess competes in the Toyota US Grand Prix on Dec. 20, 2025

Sean M. Haffey/Getty

Two days later, Trump, 79, addressed the Olympian’s comments on social media, emphasizing that Hess has made it "hard to root for" his victory.

“U.S. Olympic Skier, Hunter Hess, a real Loser, says he doesn’t represent his Country in the current Winter Olympics,” the president wrote on Truth Social on Sunday, Feb. 8. “If that’s the case, he shouldn’t have tried out for the Team, and it’s too bad he’s on it.” 

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Hunter Hess at the Toyota US Grand Prix on Jan. 9, 2026 Dustin Satloff/U.S. Ski and Snowboard/Getty
Hunter Hess at the Toyota US Grand Prix on Jan. 9, 2026

Dustin Satloff/U.S. Ski and Snowboard/Getty

“Very hard to root for someone like this,” Trump added. “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

In addition to Hess’ comments, Lillis, 27, said during the same press conference that he was “heartbroken” over the heated conversations surrounding immigration in the U.S. — especially after the shooting deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minnesota.

“A lot of times, athletes are hesitant to talk about political views and how we feel about things,” Lillis said. “I feel heartbroken about what’s happening in the United States.”

As the Olympics kicked off in Italy on Friday, citizens of Milan staged an anti-ICE protest, shortly after which Vice President JD Vance’s appearance at the Games' opening ceremony prompted boos from the crowd

“I’m pretty sure you’re referencing ICE and some of the protests and things like that,” Lillis continued during the press conference. “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.”

To learn more about all the Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, come to people.com to check out ongoing coverage before, during and after the games. Watch the Milan Cortina Olympics and Paralympics, beginning Feb. 6, on NBC and Peacock.

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Category: General Sports