President Donald Trump has now done another thing that presidents don’t typically do: He’s gotten into a feud with a U.S. Olympian during the Olympics.
Hunter Hess, an Olympic skier, said last week that representing the U.S. “brings up mixed emotions.”
“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 said, per Axios. “I think for me, it’s more I’m representing my like friends and family back home, the people that represented it before me, all the things that I believe are good about the U.S.”
Some on the right have been unhappy with those comments, and others by American athletes who have been specifically asked about political matters while competing in the games.
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And now, they’ve been joined by the president.
“U.S. Olympic Skier, Hunter Hess, a real Loser, says he doesn’t represent his Country in the current Winter Olympics.,” Trump said on Truth Social on Sunday. “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!”
Hess was also ripped by 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey player Mike Eruzione.
“Hunter Hess US snowboarder saying he doesn’t represent his country but his family and friends,” Eruzione said on X, although he later deleted the post, per Fox News. “Then don’t put on the USA uniform maybe just put for family and friends. Some athletes just don’t get it.”
Jessie Diggins, an American cross-country skier and native of Minnesota, said on Instagram this week that “I’m racing for an American people who stand for love, for acceptance, for compassion, honesty and respect for others. I do not stand for hate or violence or discrimination.”
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“I get to decide who I’m racing for every single day, and how I want to live up to my values. For everyone out there caring for others, protecting their neighbors and meeting people with love – every single step is for you. YOU are the ones who make me proud to carry the flag, and I hope I can bring you joy over these next few weeks.”
Trump, as Axios noted, has taken shots at American athletes before, most notably the women’s national soccer team.
