United States President Donald Trump criticized American Olympic skier Hunter Hess this Sunday (8), days after the athlete expressed mixed feelings about representing the USA at the Winter Games in northern Italy.
“If so, he shouldn’t have tried out for the team, and it’s a shame he’s on it,” Trump wrote in a post on his social media site Truth Social, referring to Hess’ comments. “It’s very difficult to root for someone like that.”
Political tensions arose at the Milan-Cortina Olympics, including criticism of the actions of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The agency has faced widespread protests across the US after officers shot and killed two people in Minneapolis in January.
During a press conference in Milan on Friday, Hess, a freestyle skier, said it was “a little difficult” to represent the US and that he felt mixed emotions.
“Obviously there’s a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of and I think a lot of people aren’t either,” he said. “Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s happening in America.”
Ski teammate Chris Lillis spoke out against ICE at the same press conference, saying he felt heartbroken.
“I think as a country we need to focus on respecting everyone’s rights and making sure we are treating our citizens, just like anyone else, with love and respect,” Lillis said. “And I hope that when people look at the athletes competing in the Olympics, they realize that this is the America we are trying to represent.”
