Amber Glenn’s Olympic Journey: Performance Setback Amid Political Backlash and Misinformation

In the high-stakes world of Olympic figure skating, where precision and focus are everything, U.S. athlete Amber Glenn experienced a heartbreaking moment during the women’s short program at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.

The three-time U.S. national champion, who had already helped secure a team gold medal earlier in the Games, finished 13th after a critical error on her triple loop jump. This mishap, which resulted in the element being invalidated and a significant point deduction of around 7-8 points, left her in tears as she left the ice. Despite the disappointment, Glenn qualified for the free skate, though her chances for an individual medal were effectively dashed.

Glenn, 26, is the first openly queer woman to represent the U.S. in Olympic figure skating. Her routine started strong, with a successful triple Axel—one of only two landed in the competition—but faltered when she “popped” the triple loop into a double, violating the requirement for a solo triple jump in the short program. Judges scored her 67.39, placing her well behind the leaders.

In post-performance interviews, Glenn expressed devastation, dropping to her knees on the ice before hugging her coach in the kiss-and-cry area. She later explained that the mistake stemmed from a momentary loss of focus during the jump’s takeoff, a common but costly issue in the sport.

However, Glenn’s Olympic story extends beyond the rink, intersecting with politics and social media controversy. Prior to the Games, during a press conference on February 4, 2026, Glenn was asked about President Donald Trump’s policies toward the LGBTQ+ community.

She responded candidly, noting it had been “a hard time” for the community and emphasizing her commitment to advocating for human rights while representing Team USA. Her comments, made in the spirit of free speech, drew immediate backlash from conservative circles, including online threats and hate messages. Glenn revealed on Instagram that she received a “scary amount” of such responses, prompting her to limit her social media presence for her well-being.

The backlash intensified after her short program performance. Supporters of Trump and right-wing commentators on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) mocked Glenn, labeling her setback as “karma” for her criticism of the president. Posts went viral, with accounts like Clown World and others claiming she had “trashed America abroad” and suggesting she should “focus on skating, not politics.”

Some even fabricated narratives, alleging that Glenn directly blamed Trump for her poor performance, suggesting his policies distracted her and caused the jump error. One such post from user @JustJenRX echoed this sentiment almost verbatim, claiming Glenn’s comments “may have led to losing focus” and linking to a site amplifying the story.

Contrary to these claims, Glenn has not attributed her on-ice mistake to political distractions or Trump. In fact, she explicitly stated in interviews that the backlash, while stunning and hurtful—including death threats—was “not a hindrance to her performance.” She emphasized her pride in representing the U.S. and her resolve to continue using her voice for what she believes in, even amid the negativity. Glenn later returned to social media, posting on TikTok with teammate Alysa Liu, defiantly captioning images of their team gold medals: “They hate to see two woke bitches winning.”

This episode highlights the broader tensions at the 2026 Winter Olympics, where several U.S. athletes, including freestyle skier Hunter Hess and aerialist Chris Lillis, faced similar criticism for speaking out on political issues. President Trump himself weighed in on Truth Social, calling Hess a “real loser.” Commentators on both sides have debated the role of politics in sports, with some arguing that the Olympics inherently involve national representation and thus cannot be apolitical.

Despite the controversy, Glenn’s achievements remain impressive. As a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ visibility in figure skating, she has inspired many with her resilience. Her team gold medal marks a high point in her career, and while the individual event didn’t go as planned, her story underscores the human element of elite sports—where triumphs and setbacks coexist with real-world challenges.

As the Games continue, Glenn’s experience serves as a reminder of the pressures athletes face, both on and off the ice. Whether viewed through a political lens or purely as a sporting narrative, her journey at Milano Cortina 2026 is one of perseverance amid adversity.