Team USA athletes make feelings clear about representing President Trump at 2026 Winter Olympics

Under the bright lights of the Winter Olympics in Italy, Team USA athletes are grappling with their national pride pitted against their personal beliefs.

For some, wearing the stars and stripes feels complicated amid policies and political clashes at home, a handful of Olympians have openly shared.

Freestyle skier Hunter Hess spoke candidly at a press conference about the mixed emotions he experiences representing the United States.

"It brings up mixed emotions to represent the US right now, I think. It's a little hard," Hess said. "There's obviously a lot going on that I'm not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren't."

The Oregon native added, "Just because I'm wearing the flag doesn't mean I represent everything that's going on in the US."

Olympians weigh personal values against national representation

Hess emphasized that his focus is on family, friends, and the principles he believes reflect the best of America.

"If it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I'm representing it," he said.

President Donald Trump responded sharply to Hess's remarks on Truth Social, calling the athlete a "real loser" and adding that he shouldn't have "tried out for the team" if he didn't want to represent the USA.

Conservative figures echoed similar criticism. Former Trump official Ric Grenell suggested Hess should "move to Canada if you aren't proud to wear USA."

Republican Congressman Byron Donalds, a Trump ally running for governor of Florida, wrote on X: "Some things are bigger than politics. You just don't get it."

Other Olympians have also spoken out on current U.S. policies while expressing pride in representing Americans whose courage and activism inspire them.

Women's hockey player Kelly Pannek, from Minnesota, criticized ICE raids that recently resulted in two deaths and said she is most proud to represent Americans "who brave the coldest days to advocate for their beliefs."

Athletes caught in mixed feelings

Freestyle skier and 2022 gold medalist Chris Lillis echoed these sentiments, acknowledging his love for Team USA while describing his heartbreak over Trump-era immigration enforcement. "

Athletes are hesitant to talk about political views and how we feel about things," Lillis said. "I hope that when people look at athletes compete in the Olympics, they realize that that's the America we're trying to represent."

Some athletes were more subtle in their political messaging. Cross-country skier Jessie Diggins posted on Instagram that she does "not stand for hate or violence or discrimination" and competes for Americans "who stand for love, for acceptance, for compassion, honesty and respect for others."

Figure skater Amber Glenn, a three-time U.S. champion, said she will continue speaking out about challenges facing the LGBTQ community, despite pressure from the administration to "just be quiet" and "stick to sports."

Politics and sports increasingly intersect on the global stage, and at the Winter Olympics, the tension is rising for U.S athletes. How they navigate the coming days could decide if they are successful or buckle under the pressures of competition and activism.