Team USA freestyle skier Hunter Hess has single-handedly torpedoed his promising career. Yes, folks, it’s over. Done. Finito. The man dared to utter the most unforgivable phrase in modern American sports: “mixed emotions.”

Picture the scene: It’s the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, the snow is pristine, the hot chocolate is overpriced, and reporters—those vultures—are asking the tough questions. “How does it feel representing the U.S. right now?” one asks innocently. Hess, clearly not having read the memo that athletes are supposed to stick to “I’m just happy to be here” platitudes, replies with devastating honesty: It brings up mixed emotions… just because I wear the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.

Cue the apocalypse.

Within hours, the internet erupted like a poorly judged halfpipe landing. President Trump, never one to miss a viral moment, branded Hess “a real loser” on Truth Social, suggesting he shouldn’t have even tried out for the team. Calls for expulsion rang out louder than a starter’s pistol. Conservative commentators declared the Olympics officially “woke” again, with athletes apparently “ashamed” of America. Boycott threats flew faster than a downhill skier. Viewership shifts? Massive. (Presumably toward reruns of the 1980 Miracle on Ice, where everyone was appropriately grateful.)

The horror! An athlete expressing nuance! In public! During an Olympic press conference!

But wait—plot twist. Hess, perhaps after consulting his publicist, his family, and possibly a therapist, took to Instagram with the most predictable redemption arc since every celebrity apology ever. “I love my country 🇺🇸,” he posted, adding that America is great but “there are always things that could be better.” He even praised freedom of speech—one of those pesky American values—as the reason he could say anything at all. Teammates rallied. The ski community defended him. No official kick-out occurred. No damaging forced apology beyond the standard “I love my country” clarification.

Yet the outrage machine keeps churning. Headlines scream of “anti-American rants” and “global backlash.” Some demand he be stripped of funds, banished from future Games, or at least made to wear a stars-and-stripes muzzle. Because nothing says “land of the free” like punishing someone for mild ambivalence.

In the end, Hess’s career isn’t over—it’s just been upgraded to “controversial Olympian with a story.” He’ll probably still compete in the halfpipe, land some tricks, and maybe even medal. Meanwhile, the real winners are the clickbait farms, the pundits who get to rail against “woke athletes,” and anyone who enjoys watching a minor comment balloon into a national crisis.

So here’s to Hunter Hess: proof that in 2026 America, you can represent your country on the world stage—as long as you pretend everything back home is perfect. Anything less, and you’re basically public enemy number one… until the next news cycle hits.

Olympian Hunter Hess Breaks Silence After President Trump Calls Him ‘Real Loser’ for Remarks on U.S.

Instagram/Hunter Hess; Bonnie Cash – Pool via CNP / MEGA

Olympian Hunter Hess is leading with love.

The 27-year-old skier has spoken out after President Donald Trump insulted him because the athlete admitted to having “mixed emotions” representing the United States at the 2026 Milano Cortina Games due to recent events.

In a Sunday, February 8, post on Truth Social, Trump said, “U.S. Olympic Skier, Hunter 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. Very hard to root for someone like this. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

Though Hess did not name the 79-year-old president, he indirectly addressed Trump’s remarks with an Instagram post pointing out his Constitutional right to free speech.

Instagram/Hunter Hess

“I love my country,” Hess began, adding an American flag emoji. “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,” he continued. “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.”

“Thanks to everyone for their support,” Hess concluded.

Hess received love in the comments section of his post, with visual artist Asya Cetin writing, “You can love your country and still call out your government both can exist We love you for telling the truth and no one gets to dim your success ❤️ let’s gooooo.”

Kyodo/Newscom/The Mega Agency

During a press conference last week, Hess and fellow Team USA players referenced the political unrest happening in the United States amid Trump’s immigration crackdown and following the deaths of Renée Nicole Good and Alex Pretti at the hands of law enforcement.

“It brings up mixed emotions to represent the U.S. right now, I think,” Hess said at the press conference. “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.”

“For me, 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.,” he continued. “If it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I’m representing it. Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.”