Bend skier Hunter Hess has 'mixed emotions' representing the US at 2026 Winter Olympics

KGW ^ | February 6, 2026 | Luisa Anderson

[MinorityRepublican]

Bend skier Hunter Hess is feeling "mixed emotions" about representing the U.S. at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.

Hess spoke during a news conference in Milan on Friday with the Team USA freeski halfpipe squad. He was reportedly asked what it means to wear Team USA gear and the American flag amid the Trump administration's immigration arrests.

"It brings up mixed emotions to represent the U.S. right now I think," Hess said. "It's a little hard. 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 represented before me, all the things that I believe are good about the U.S."

Hess reiterated that his focus remains on competing for those closest to him and those who have helped get to the Olympic stage.

[Hyman Roth]

Hope he wipes out.

[jmaroneps37]

Jut quit - you will feel better and we will feel better. It’s a win win.

[stockpirate]

What a clown loser, I hope he finishes last.

[ridesthemiles]

YANK HIM
SEND HIM BACK HOME ON HIS OWN NICKLE

[Buttons12]

Shut up and wipe out, asshole.

Perfectly said, TE, and you had some intense competition in this thread. :D

[Dixie Yooper]

If he trained as hard as he can to be as good of a skier as he possibly can be for this point in time, why is he discussing politics with reporter who doesn’t belong there?

[VTenigma]

Absolutely no reason to patronize the olympics anymore.

[MortMan]

I had the same question.

Thanks for the answer, Dilbert!

[USS Alaska]

Break a leg, Hunter!

I joke. I kid.

Why joke and kid?

The little fag bastard is embarrassed by his Country's law enforcement agents against ILLEGAL ALIENS THAT SHOULD BE KICKED THE HELL OUT, go ahead and break a leg.

[dfwgator]

Shut up and wipe out, asshole. That’s the only reason people watch skiing.

---

Then we can have the meme of Trump hitting him with a golf shot.

[Seaplaner]

Former Olympian Mike Eurizone stated “Hunter Hess U.S. snowboarder saying he doesn’t represent his country but his family and friends, then don’t put on the USA uniform...

I almost never root against my excellent USA and our Olympic athletes.

That said, if an athlete chooses to represent our Country in the Olympics, and yet hates our Country and says as much, then I might not feel too, too badly if the righteous scorn of a nation weighs on his ingrateful little mind at ... juuuussst ... the ... right ... time during his events.

[MinorityRepublican]

Generally I root for men's soccer team except during June because they're not wearing red, white, and blue.

Of course, I can't root for women's soccer team as long as Megan Rapinoe is on it. I don't have a problem with her lifestyle as long as she's patriotic. Unfortunately she's not.

[dfwgator]

Of course, I can’t root for women’s soccer team as long as Megan Rapinoe is on it. I don’t have a problem with her lifestyle as long as she’s patriotic. Unfortunately she’s not.

---

Exactly. I had no problem with Abby Wambach, mainly because she did help the Gators win a title in soccer.

[bootless]

The First Amendment.

[stanne]

“ The First Amendment.”

Are you kidding?

[bootless]

>>“ The First Amendment.”

Are you kidding?<<

No, I am not. I’m not saying that he, or anyone else, who says anything someone deeply disagrees with, will be immune from consequence.

He’s not a government employee. He’s not funded by the government. Every athlete is a de facto ambassador for the country, and it appears that he tried to answer as honestly and thoughtfully as possible. Not easy for someone who doesn’t specialize in big-media interviews. I know they get coaching, but it’s hard to do.

You don’t like what he said, or what he believes? Fine. It’s your right. Just as it’s his right to say so. We’re not North Korea.

[bootless]

And here is Hess’s IG response to POTUS’s post. I have no issue with this.

“I love my country 🇺🇸

There is so much that is great about America, but there are always things that could be better. One of the many things that makes this country so amazing is that we have the right and the freedom to point that out. The best part of the Olympics is that it brings people together, and when so many of us are divided we need that more than ever. I cannot wait to represent Team USA next week when I compete.”

[stanne]

“ We’re not North Korea.”

Oh geeze

Tell me where I said the government should punish him

He’s over there on the USA Olympic committee support. Financially taken care of by them, representing the US. Kids are watching and aspiring to be like these guys

These guys don’t have day jobs. They work for the US. The Olympic team of the US. If he gets a medal is he going to turn his back on the flag like the Patriots player did yesterday at the Super Bowl.

Is he going to display his medal? Or show some character and decline it from a country he doesn’t like?

You ought to go on a TV spot, sponsored by your employer and announce that you announce that you don’t like the people you work for, that you don’t like their morality. You’ll find out that yes we are not a communist country we are a republic. See how that goes for you

The Clintons started this. People buy their lies. Their amorality spread. Their tenet is that freedom is licentiousness. People take freedom as the freedom to be bad

It’s bad to tell the world you don’t like your country. No one else is doing that

It starts with the democrats using people to fight to keep illegal immigrants here. The democrats are supporting their resisting arrest. Why? Because these people and you and this snowboarder are the only ones voting for democrats

Democrats have people blaming law enforcement

If your neighbor gets dragged out of his house by the cops resisting arrest are you going to go interfere? You’re going to tell people the cops were wrong?

Or are you going to find out what illegal act he did?

This kid is supporting illegal behavior. He’s free to run for office and try to get the law changed but just having a worldwide audience and announcing he disagrees with the law doesn’t change the law

We aren’t a dictatorship but this disagreeing with a law to the point of announcing it from a sports stage funded by the USA Olympics organization is not in keeping with our country’s laws and order either. That’s mob-ocracy.

[stanne]

“ And here is Hess’s IG response to POTUS’s post. I have no issue with this.

“I love my country 🇺🇸”

Well, too bad he went on a “”I don’t like my country rant.”

I wouldn’t take such a lame “you guys didn’t get what i meant. Trump doesn’t get it” attempt to cover up for anything

He’s used to doing this and getting away with it. People putting up with his crap. Making excuses

He’s had a lot of pushback

Sponsors are probably dropping away. That loss of money has to hurt. Poor baby

[bootless]

>>“ We’re not North Korea.” Oh geeze Tell me where I said the government should punish him<< You didn't. Punishment/execution aren't the only consequences from NK -- just the most extreme ones. It's a given that they aren't allowed to say anything but 100% pro-govt statements. I'm at work now, so I can't respond to every item in your reply, but thank you for that. >>These guys don’t have day jobs. They work for the US. The Olympic team of the US. << Many athletes do work day jobs... sometimes at the slopes or other jobs that give them the flexibility to train and compete. U.S. Olympic athletes are not employees of the U.S. government. They don’t get a federal stipend, which many other countries' athletes do. They may also get endorsement deals, sponsorships, or funds from their respective sports federations. If any of these entities have an issue with how they're representing themselves (and, by extension, the sponsor, sports federation, etc.), then they take the actions that they deem appropriate. And yet other Olympians compete while they pursue college degrees. >>If he gets a medal is he going to turn his back on the flag like the Patriots player did yesterday at the Super Bowl.<< I'd guess not. I didn't realize the Pats player did that. >>Is he going to display his medal? Or show some character and decline it from a country he doesn’t like?<< He didn't say he didn't like our country. He said he loves our country. Love of country doesn't equal unconditional acceptable of every political aspect, action, and policy. You know that. >>It’s bad to tell the world you don’t like your country. No one else is doing that.<< Again, he didn't say that. He said he had mixed feelings regarding current events. I would prefer that the international media refrain from asking the athletes about this, as it's incredibly distracting from what they're there for. I want them to focus on safety, readiness, and the competition itself. >>It starts with the democrats using people to fight to keep illegal immigrants here. The democrats are supporting their resisting arrest. Why? >>Because these people and you,/b> and this snowboarder are the only ones voting for democrats<< You're 100% mistaken here. I am not a democrat. Why would you derail your argument with a false assumption like that. I am, first, a follower of Jesus Christ, and after that, a constitutional conservative. That's the FR I remember. Back to work, and thanks.