President Trump slams Team USA skier over comments about representing the U.S.
MILAN, Italy (NBC, KYMA) - President Donald Trump criticized U.S. Olympic skier Hunter Hess Sunday, two days after the athlete expressed mixed feelings about representing the U.S. at the Winter Olympics.
President Trump wrote in a post on social media saying, "If that's the case, he shouldn't have tried out for the team, and it's too bad he's on it," referencing Hess' comments.
The president called hess "a real loser," and said that "very hard to root for someone like this."
Political tensions have surfaced at Milan-Cortina Olympics, including over the presence of personnel from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The agency has faced widespread protests across the U.S. after agents shot and killed two people in Minneapolis last month.
During a news conference in Milan Friday, hess, a freestyle skier, said it was "a little hard" to represent the U.S. and he felt mixed emotions.
"There's obviously a lot going on that I'm not the biggest fan of and I think a lot of people aren't. I think for me, it's more I'm representing my friends and family back home, the people that represent it before me, all the things that I believe are good about the US. If it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I'm representing it. Just because I'm wearing the flag doesn't mean I represent everything that's going on in the U.S. So yeah, I just want to do it for my friends, my family, and the people that support me getting here."
Hunter Hess, Team USA
