U.S. President Donald Trump has sharply criticized American athletes competing at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics who have spoken publicly against his administration\u2019s policies, saying it is difficult to support Olympians who distance themselves from the government and national direction.<\/p>\n
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, Trump singled out freestyle skier Hunter Hess, calling him \u201ca real Loser\u201d after Hess said he did not feel he represented everything happening in the United States under the current administration. Trump suggested Hess should not have tried out for the Olympic team if he felt that way.<\/p>\n
Hess made the remarks during a news conference on Friday, where U.S. athletes were asked how they felt representing the country amid heightened immigration enforcement at home. He said wearing the American flag did not mean he endorsed all government actions, adding that he was competing on behalf of those who supported his journey to the Games.<\/p>\n
The comments sparked a wave of backlash online, including criticism from social media personality and boxer Jake Paul, who said athletes unwilling to represent the country should live elsewhere. Paul was later seen attending a U.S. women\u2019s hockey match in Milan alongside Vice President JD Vance.<\/p>\n
Other U.S. athletes also expressed concern during the same news conference. Freestyle skier Chris Lillis said he was \u201cheartbroken\u201d by immigration-related developments in the U.S. and urged respect for human rights, while figure skater Amber Glenn said LGBTQ+ communities have faced increasing challenges under the Trump administration.<\/p>\n
The athletes\u2019 remarks triggered a flood of online criticism from conservative figures and members of the public. Glenn later said she had received a \u201cscary amount of hate and threats\u201d and would limit her social media activity for her safety.<\/p>\n
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee said it is aware of the growing volume of abusive messages directed at athletes and is working to remove harmful content and report credible threats to law enforcement, stressing its support for Team USA athletes\u2019 well-being.<\/p>\n
The controversy has unfolded against a broader backdrop of protests in Italy linked to U.S. immigration policies. Demonstrations in Milan have criticized the presence of U.S. immigration agents assisting with Olympic security, even though officials clarified that the deployed unit focuses on investigations rather than immigration enforcement.<\/p>\n
During the Olympic opening ceremony, American athletes were largely cheered, but Vice President Vance and his wife faced audible boos from sections of the crowd, reflecting the strain on U.S. public image abroad amid aggressive foreign and domestic policy debates.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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