Earlier this week, President Donald Trump took a shot at the U.S. Olympic skier Hunter Hess, after Hess declared that he has “mixed emotions” about representing America at the games.
“There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of and think a lot of people aren’t,” Hess said. “If it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I’m representing it. But just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean that I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.”
Trump ripped Hess as a “real loser” on social media.
“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!,” Trump said on Truth Social.
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Now, Hess has responded to the president’s taunts.
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“I love my country 🇺🇸,” Hess said in an Instagram post. “There is so much that is great about America, but there are always things that could be better. One of the many things that makes this country so amazing is that we have the right and the freedom to point that out. The best part of the Olympics is that it brings people together, and when so many of us are divided we need that more than ever. I cannot wait to represent Team USA next week when I compete. Thanks to everyone for their support.”
Hess is one of several U.S. Olympic athletes who have made comments about political events at home. Most recently, Rich Ruohonen, a member of the U.S. curling team who is from Minnesota and is also a lawyer, made some comments on Tuesday, per the Daily Beast.
“I’d like to say I’m proud to be here to represent Team USA, and to represent our country,” Ruohonen told the press this week. “But we’d be remiss if we didn’t at least mention what’s going on in Minnesota.”
