American Olympian finds defender in Vermont senator
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Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., took a jab at President Donald Trump on Sunday for comments he made about American Olympian Hunter Hess.
Hess faced the president’s ire after saying he had “mixed feelings” about representing the United States at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. Trump responded by calling the skier a “real loser.”
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Hunter Hess of the United States reacts during the Men’s Halfpipe Ski Final at the Toyota US Grand Prix at Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort on January 9, 2026 in Aspen, Colorado. (Dustin Satloff/USA Ski and Snowboard/Getty Images)
“Trump called American Olympic Hunter Hess a ‘real loser’ for criticizing what is happening in our country under the Trump administration,” Sanders wrote to X. “Mr. President, this is not a monarchy. This is the United States of America and no one needs to bow to you.
“Hess is not a loser. He is a proud American.”
Hess’ comments come as the Trump administration faces backlash over its use of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in immigration enforcement operations. An incident with ICE agents in January led to the death of Renee Good in Minnesota. Border Patrol agents also had a fatal encounter with Alex Pretti.
These events apparently served as the catalyst for comments by Hess and teammate Chris Lillis. Hess says he has “mixed feelings” about representing the USA
AUSTRALIAN SNOWBOARDER WORKS IN COLD TEMPERATURES DURING CRAZY CELEBRATION AFTER WINNING OLYMPIC GOLD
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders has introduced a bill that takes aim at what Democrats describe as President Donald Trump’s “narcissism” and seeks to block sitting presidents from naming federal buildings after them. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
“I think representing the United States right now brings up mixed emotions. It’s a little tough. There’s a lot of things going on that I’m obviously not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t either,” Hess said.
“I think for me, it’s more of representing my friends and family back home, the people who represented it before me, everything that I believe is good about the United States. If it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I’m representing it. Just because I wear the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the United States.”
“I want to do this for my friends, my family, and the people who supported me coming here.”
Trump called out Hess on Truth Social.
“US Olympic Skier Hunter Hess, a true Loser, says he is not representing his Country at the current Winter Olympics,” he wrote.
Hunter Hess of the United States takes a shot during the halfpipe finals during the World Cup US Grand Prix freestyle ski event on December 17, 2022 in Copper Mountain, Colorado. (AP Photo/Hugh Carey, File)
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“If that’s the case, he shouldn’t have tried out for the Team, and it’s too bad he’s in it too. It’s hard to support someone like that. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Fox News’ Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report.
