President Trump criticized Group USA freestyle skier Hunter Hess on Sunday, after Hess and different American athletes on the Milano Cortina Winter Video games shared their ideas on the political scenario in the US earlier within the week.
“U.S. Olympic Skier, Hunter Hess, an actual Loser, says he does not characterize his Nation within the present Winter Olympics,” Mr. Trump mentioned in a social media put up on Sunday. “If that is the case, he should not have tried out for the Group, and it is too dangerous he is on it. Very onerous to root for somebody like this. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Throughout a press convention on Wednesday, in response to a query concerning the present political scenario within the U.S., Hess mentioned his emotions about representing his nation on the worldwide stage have been sophisticated.
“I believe it brings up blended feelings to characterize the U.S. proper now, I believe. It is a bit onerous,” he mentioned. “There’s clearly lots happening that I am not the most important fan of, and I believe lots of people aren’t. I believe for me it is extra I am representing my, like, family and friends again residence, the those who represented it earlier than me, all of the issues that I consider are good concerning the U.S.”
“I simply assume, if it aligns with my ethical values, I really feel like I am representing it. Simply because I am sporting the flag doesn’t suggest I characterize every thing that is happening within the U.S.,” he continued. “So yeah, I simply sort of wish to do it like for my associates and my household and the those who supported me getting right here.”
On Saturday, Trump administration envoy and Kennedy Heart head Wealthy Grennell criticized Hess on social media, suggesting he “transfer to Canada should you aren’t proud to put on USA.”
In the meantime, Tennessee Rep. Tim Burchett, a Republican, mentioned Hess ought to “shut up and go play within the snow.”
YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, who was photographed with Vice President JD Vance on the U.S. ladies’s hockey sport, piled on Hess, writing Saturday on X: “From all “From all true People When you do not wish to characterize this nation go stay some other place.”
Along with Paul, conservative figures criticizing the athletes on social media embrace former NFL quarterback Brett Favre, actor Rob Schneider and U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds — who Mr. Trump has endorsed for the Florida gubernatorial race in November.
U.S. Nationwide Champion determine skater Amber Glenn, who grew to become the primary out LGBTQ girl to skate at an Olympic Video games on Sunday, mentioned on Saturday that she could be spending much less time on social media after going through backlash for sharing her ideas on points going through the LGBTQ neighborhood forward of the Video games.
“After I selected to make the most of one of many wonderful issues about the US of America (Freedom of speech) and convey how I really feel as an athlete competing for Group USA in a troubling time for a lot of People I’m now receiving a scary quantity of hate/threats for merely utilizing my voice WHEN ASKED about how I really feel,” Glenn mentioned in a social media put up on Saturday. “I did anticipate this however I’m dissatisfied by it. I will likely be limiting my time on social media for my very own wellbeing for now however I’ll by no means cease utilizing my voice for what I consider in.”
Earlier within the week, at a press convention, Glenn was requested to share her ideas on the political scenario within the U.S. and its affect on the LGBTQ neighborhood.
“It has been a tough time for the neighborhood general and this administration. It is not the primary time that we have needed to come collectively as a neighborhood and try to combat for our human rights. And now particularly, it is not simply affecting the queer neighborhood however many different communities. And I believe that we’re capable of assist one another in a means that we did not must earlier than. And due to that, it is made us lots stronger,” Glenn mentioned.
“I hope I can use my platform and my voice all through these video games to try to encourage individuals to remain robust in these onerous instances. I do know that lots of people say you are simply an athlete, like follow your job, shut up about politics. However politics have an effect on us all. It’s one thing that I cannot simply be quiet about as a result of it’s one thing that impacts us in our on a regular basis lives. So after all there are issues that I disagree with, however as a neighborhood we’re robust and we assist one another and brighter days are forward of us,” she continued.
When U.S. alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin, who mentioned it was “at all times an honor and a privilege to characterize Group USA and to characterize your nation,” was requested about tensions within the U.S. by journalists on Saturday, she quoted former South African chief Nelson Mandela.
“Peace is not only the absence of battle, peace is the creation of an atmosphere the place we will all flourish, no matter race, colour, creed, faith, gender, class, caste or some other social markers of distinction,” Shiffrin quoted Mandela as saying.
“For me, as this pertains to the Olympics, I am actually hoping to indicate up and characterize my very own values – values of inclusivity, values of variety, and kindness, and sharing,” Shiffrin mentioned. “Tenacity, work ethic, displaying up with my crew each single day, like I mentioned earlier than, and the values that we carry and put out on the mountain and on the hill each single day.”
In response to questions from The Related Press, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee mentioned in an announcement Sunday that it’s conscious of an rising quantity of abusive and dangerous messages directed towards the athletes and was doing its finest to take away content material and report credible threats to regulation enforcement.
“The USOPC stands firmly behind Group USA athletes and stays dedicated to their well-being and security, each on and off the sector of play,” it mentioned.
