Trump Calls Olympian a 'Real Loser' After Mixed-Emotion Comment
President Donald Trump called freestyle skier Hunter Hess a 'real loser' after Hess said on Feb. 6 he had mixed emotions representing the United States at the Winter Games.
NBC NewsTrump criticizes Olympic skier who said representing the U.S. 'brings up mixed emotions'
CNNTrump insults Olympic skier who expressed ‘mixed emotions’ representing the US | Politics
FortuneTrump calls U.S. Olympian a 'real Loser' as athletes speak out against administration policies
Chicago TribuneUS Olympians speaking up about politics at home face online backlash — including from Donald Trump
Overview
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on Feb. 8 calling U.S. freestyle skier Hunter Hess "a real Loser" after Hess said on Feb. 6 that representing the United States at the Feb. 6-22, 2026 Winter Games 'brings up mixed emotions,' officials confirmed.
Hess, 27, told reporters in Milan on Feb. 6 that 'just because I'm wearing the flag doesn't mean I represent everything that's going on in the U.S.,' comments made amid heightened Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity, officials confirmed.
The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee said on Feb. 8 it was tracking an uptick in abusive messages toward athletes and removing content and reporting credible threats to law enforcement, officials said.
Conservative figures including Jake Paul and Brett Favre criticized Hess on social media, while U.S. figure skater Amber Glenn said she received 'a scary amount of hate / threats' and will limit her social media use, the athletes said.
Protests in Milan on Feb. 8 against the local deployment of ICE-affiliated agents drew thousands and led to clashes with police using tear gas and a water cannon, according to local reports, and the USOPC said it will monitor athlete safety through the Feb. 22 closing ceremony.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story to emphasize athletes’ nuanced perspectives and portray the administration’s response as antagonistic. They foreground context about immigration enforcement and protests, highlight athletes’ moral qualms and USOPC support, and give prominent placement to Trump’s insult and the online backlash to create a sympathetic narrative for the athletes.
FAQ
Hunter Hess stated he had mixed emotions about representing the U.S. at the Winter Olympics, saying 'just because I'm wearing the flag doesn't mean I represent everything that's going on in the U.S.,' and that he was representing his friends, family, and personal values.
Trump posted on Truth Social calling U.S. freestyle skier Hunter Hess 'a real Loser' and said if Hess doesn't represent his country, he shouldn't be on the Team and it's hard to root for him.
The USOPC stated it was tracking an uptick in abusive messages toward athletes, removing content, reporting credible threats to law enforcement, and prioritizing athlete safety and support.
Conservative figures like Jake Paul, Brett Favre, and Rich Grenell criticized Hess on social media; figure skater Amber Glenn reported receiving hate and threats and planned to limit social media use.
Protests in Milan on Feb. 8 against ICE-affiliated agents drew thousands, leading to clashes with police using tear gas and a water cannon; the USOPC committed to monitoring athlete safety through the closing ceremony.
