Trump Labels Olympic Skier Hunter Hess a ‘Total Loser’ Following Dissent
President Donald Trump has taken to social media to label Team USA Olympic halfpipe skier Hunter Hess a “total loser” after Hess voiced his discontent with the current political climate in the United States.
In an interview regarding his representation of the U.S. at the upcoming Milan Cortina games, the 27-year-old skier from Bend, Oregon, remarked, “It’s a little hard. There's obviously a lot going on that I'm not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren't.”
Hess clarified his stance, stating, “Just because I'm wearing the flag doesn't mean I represent everything that's going on in the U.S.” His comments reflect a growing sentiment among some athletes who feel conflicted about their national representation amid political turmoil.
Trump's response came swiftly on Truth Social, where he expressed his disapproval: “U.S. Olympic Skier, Hunter Hess, a real Loser, says he doesn’t represent his Country in the current Winter Olympics. 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!”
The backlash against Hess has gained momentum, particularly among right-wing commentators. Jack Posobiec, known for his provocative statements, retweeted a video of Hess with a blunt message: “Easily solved. Get out.”
Adding fuel to the fire, YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul echoed similar sentiments on Twitter, stating, “Wow pls shut the f--- up. From all true Americans. If you don’t want to represent this country go live somewhere else.” Paul was present at the games over the weekend alongside Vice President JD Vance.
Vance Langman, another influencer, weighed in with a tweet declaring, “For the record: I’m rooting against our men’s Olympic ski team.” This sentiment reflects a broader trend among some fans who feel betrayed by athletes expressing dissent.
In contrast, fellow freestyle skier expressed his own concerns about political issues in the U.S., stating, “A lot of times, athletes are hesitant to talk about political views and how we feel about things. I feel heartbroken about what’s happening in the United States.”
He elaborated on specific issues, mentioning ICE and protests, emphasizing the need for respect and compassion towards all citizens. “I’m pretty sure you’re referencing ICE and some of the protests and things like that. 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,” he said.
Despite the controversies surrounding him, Hess has faced significant challenges on his path to Italy. After enduring a series of injuries that sidelined him from previous Olympic games, he reflected on his tumultuous journey: “The last Olympic qualifying process was crazy,” he told KTVZ. “Everything that could possibly go wrong went wrong. I tore my MCL, did all the recovery, and everything was tracking perfectly.”
Just as he was set to return to training, he encountered another setback: appendicitis. “I woke up in the middle of the night with appendicitis. I drove myself to the hospital, had immediate surgery, and was out even longer,” he recounted.
Hess's perseverance paid off when he confirmed his qualification for the Cortina games this past January, marking a significant comeback after a challenging period.
