Hunter Hess responds to Trump’s criticism with gesture
American freeskier Hunter Hess responded to Donald Trump’s criticism with a pointed gesture following his successful Olympic halfpipe qualifying run earlier today, reports BritPanorama.
The 27-year-old formed an “L” shape with his left hand while pointing at it with his right, a direct reference to the president’s remarks.
“Apparently, I’m a loser,” Hess told reporters after his performance. He explained that the controversy surrounding Trump’s comments served as motivation during his run. “I worked so hard to be here. I sacrificed my entire life to make this happen. I’m not going to let controversy like that get in my way,” he added.
The tension between Hess and Trump escalated during a press conference at the start of the Games, where athletes faced questions regarding their representation of the country amid the Trump administration’s intensified immigration policies. Hess articulated that while he dons the American flag, it does not imply complete allegiance to every aspect of U.S. policies. He stated, “If it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I’m representing it.”
Trump responded on Truth Social, writing: “Hess, a real Loser, says he doesn’t represent his Country in the current Winter Olympics. If that’s the case, he shouldn’t have tried out for the Team, and it’s too bad he’s on it.”
This conflict has taken a personal toll on Hess, as he revealed that his family received threats following the president’s comments, marking a severely challenging fortnight for the athlete. “I had a week that was pretty challenging,” he said. “Luckily, my family was there to support me and help me get through it. There was a lot of noise and I’ve never been subject to that kind of criticism.”
Despite the backlash, Hess maintained that he has no regrets about his statements made during the press conference. He reiterated his love for the United States, stating, “I stand with what I said. It means the absolute world to me to be able to represent Team USA here. There’s been a lot of hate out there. All those people are super entitled to their opinion, and I respect it.”
Hess was among four American athletes to progress to the 12-man final, as the U.S. team continues its quest for its first gold medal in skiing and snowboarding events at Livigno Snow Park after nearly a fortnight of competition. The juxtaposition of sporting triumph amid political controversy highlights the complex landscape athletes navigate at international events.
