Vice President JD Vance Warns Olympians to Expect Pushback
Vance told reporters Feb. 11 that U.S. athletes should expect "pushback" if they "pop off" about politics at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.
Overview
JD Vance told reporters Feb. 11 that U.S. Olympic athletes should "expect some pushback" if they "pop off" about politics while representing the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.
The sparring followed freestyle skier Hunter Hess saying he had "mixed emotions" about representing the United States and President Donald Trump responding by calling Hess "a real Loser," according to Hess's social media posts and presidential remarks.
U.S. Olympic snowboarder Chloe Kim said on social media she was "so happy that so many Olympians are not hesitant to speak out for what they believe in," in defense of Hunter Hess.
Team USA had won 10 medals as of Feb. 11, 2026—three gold, five silver and two bronze—U.S. Olympic officials said.
The 2026 Winter Olympic Games are scheduled to conclude on Feb. 22, 2026, and media coverage and officials said athlete remarks are likely to continue drawing political attention.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this as a clash between athletes and the administration by foregrounding official rebuttals and minimizing dissent. Editorial choices—words like "lashed out," selective quotes from Vance emphasizing unity, and placement of the boos as "much ado about nothing"—tilt coverage toward official perspectives; athlete criticisms appear only as source content.
Sources (3)
FAQ
Vance advised athletes to 'play your sport and represent the country well' instead of 'popping off about politics,' warning they should expect 'pushback' if they enter the political arena while representing the U.S.
Hunter Hess expressed 'mixed emotions' about representing the United States.
President Donald Trump called Hunter Hess 'a real Loser.'
Snowboarder Chloe Kim posted on social media that she was 'so happy that so many Olympians are not hesitant to speak out for what they believe in,' defending Hunter Hess.
Vance faced boos from the crowd at the opening ceremony in Milan when shown on stadium screens.
History
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