American-born skier Eileen Gu defends Hunter Hess after the Team USA athlete admitted mixed feelings about representing his country at the 2026 Winter Games. The freestyle star, who competes for China, spoke out in support of Hess following sharp criticism from President Donald Trump.
It started when Hunter Hess, a freeskier from Oregon, told reporters ahead of events that pulling on the Stars and Stripes brought complicated emotions right now. “It’s a little hard,” he said, pointing to the tense political climate back home – things like immigration crackdowns and heated debates dividing people.
Just wearing the flag doesn’t mean he agrees with everything happening in the U.S., he added. Honest words from a young guy focused on his sport.
Trump didn’t take it lightly. He fired off comments calling Hess a “real loser” and suggesting athletes who are unhappy should stay home. The backlash exploded online, with some cheering the president and others saying athletes have every right to speak their minds.
That’s where Eileen Gu stepped in. Born and raised in San Francisco, the 22-year-old knows a thing or two about nationality questions – she switched to skiing for China back in 2019, winning golds in Beijing and facing her own share of scrutiny.
After grabbing silver in slopestyle qualifying, reporters asked her thoughts. Gu expressed deep sympathy for Hess, calling it tough for athletes caught in political crossfire. “I feel so sorry for him,” she said, noting how headlines shift focus from the slopes to debates no one wins.
Gu wasn’t alone. Snowboarding legend Chloe Kim backed Hess too, pushing for unity and reminding everyone these are humans under pressure, not just uniforms. Other teammates echoed that sentiment, saying the right to voice concerns matters.
On the snow, Gu turned heads beyond her words. She rocked a custom suit from sponsor Anta, all blue-and-white patterns nodding to classic Chinese porcelain, with dragon details and gold accents for extra flair.
She beamed, explaining it after runs, proud to blend heritage with high-flying tricks. The design stood out in Livigno, drawing compliments and photos as she qualified strong.
Hess responded gracefully, posting about love for his country while standing by his feelings. The whole exchange has people talking more about politics than spins and jumps sometimes. In Milan-Cortina, where athletes from everywhere chase dreams, moments like this remind everyone sport doesn’t happen in a bubble.
Gu keeps competing at the top, bridging worlds on and off the mountain. Born in California to a Chinese mom and raised with both cultures – her path wasn’t easy either.
Defending Hess shows that understanding crosses borders and teams. As medals get handed out, conversations like these linger. The Games go on, but voices from the athletes cut through the noise.
