Olympians in Italy are finding it hard to represent Team USA with Donald Trump as their president, a handful of these world-class athletes have shared publicly.
While none have mentioned President Trump by name, many have made it clear their comments are a direct rebuke on his administration's policies.
'It brings up mixed emotions to represent the US right now, I think. It's a little hard,' freestyle skier Hunter Hess said during a press conference. '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 went on: 'Just because I'm wearing the flag doesn't mean I represent everything that's going on in the US.'
Instead, Hess said, he thinks of his Olympics performance as a way to represent his friends and family and 'all the things that I believe are good about the US' on the world stage.
'If it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I'm representing it,' he concluded.
Trump responded to Hess's comment by calling the Olympic athlete a 'real loser' who shouldn't have 'tried out for the team' if he didn't want to represent the USA.
'Very hard to root for someone like this,' he posted to Truth Social.
The comments came amid continued violent clashes in Minneapolis, Minnesota between immigration enforcement agents and anti-ICE protesters that resulted in the deaths of two Americans last month.
Olympic athletes representing Team USA have spoken out against President Donald Trump's policies and their conflicting feelings over wearing the American Flag on their uniform.
Freestyle skier Hunter Hess of Oregon was the most outspoken in his criticism when he said at a press conference on Saturday: 'Just because I'm wearing the flag doesn't mean I represent everything that's going on in the US.'
Women's hockey Olympic athlete Kelly Pannek, who is from Minnesota, criticized Trump-era ICE raids that led to the deaths of two Americans in her home state on January 2026.
Conservative figures were furious over the backlash, with Trump official Ric Grenell telling Hess he should 'move to Canada if you aren't proud to wear USA.'
Republican Congressman Byron Donalds, a Trump-ally running for governor of Florida, joined in the criticism and told them to 'go home' if they don't want to represent the US on the international stage.
'Some things are bigger than politics. You just don't get it,'
he posted to X on Saturday in response to Hess's remarks.
Donald Trump attacks 'loser' Team USA skier over 'anti-American' rant at Winter Olympics
Women's hockey Olympic athlete Kelly Pannek, who is from Minnesota, criticized ICE raids that led to the deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti and said she is most proud to represent Americans 'who brave the coldest days to advocate for their beliefs.'
And Chris Lillis, a freestyle skier and 2022 gold medalist, said he wouldn't want to represent any other country, but admitted being 'heartbroken' over Trump-era immigration enforcement operations.
'Athletes are hesitant to talk about political views and how we feel about things,'
Lillis said at a press conference.
'I hope that when people look at athletes compete (sic) in the Olympics, they realize that that's the America we're trying to represent.'
Other athletes were a bit less direct in their criticism of the president and his policies, and were more cryptic in their perceivably anti-Trump messaging.
Cross-country skier Jessie Diggins said in an Instagram post she does 'not stand for hate or violence or discrimination' and is racing for Americans who stand 'for love, for acceptance, for compassion, honesty and respect for others.'
Amber Glenn, a three-time US champion figure skater, said that as the administration demands athletes 'just be quiet' and 'stick to sports,' she will continue to speak out
Amber Glenn, a three-time US champion figure skater, said that under an administration demanding athletes 'just be quiet' and 'stick to sports,' she will continue to speak out about challenges the LGBTQ community faces.
At a pre-Olympic press conference, she said: 'It isn't the first time that we've had to come together as a community and try and fight for our human rights.'
Super Bowl winning NFL quarterback Brett Favre said that the Olympic athletes are 'inviting backlash with their words.'
Actor and comedian Rob Schneider echoed those sentiments and accused them of being ungrateful.
One user on X called the outspoken Olympians 'entitled rich white liberal athletes' who 'can't just shut up and compete.'
Sports are increasingly political and provide an avenue for athletes and others to express their stances.
It even happened at the Super Bowl where Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny used the stage to express his beliefs and call out every country in America - not just the United States.
Trump did not make the trek to the Super Bowl in California on Sunday, even though he made history last year by becoming the first sitting president to attend the NFL championship game in person.