Vice President JD Vance said United States Olympians can expect “some pushback” when they share their thoughts on current events in their home country.
President Donald Trump slammed Olympic skier Hunter Hess as “a real loser” when the athlete said representing the U.S. “brings up mixed emotions,” and “wearing the U.S. flag “doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on” in the country. Hess later said on social media that he loves his country and “there are always things that could be better.”
Vance called the U.S. Olympic athletes “unbelievable,” saying the “entire country” is rooting for them in the 2026 games in Milan, Italy. He added that some athletes are likely to “pop off” on their political takes, saying it happens “every Olympics.”
“My advice to them would be to try to bring the country together, and when you’re representing the country, you’re representing Democrats and Republicans,” Vance said. “You’re there to play a sport and you’re there to represent your country and hopefully win a medal. You’re not there to pop off about politics, so when Olympic athletes enter the political arena, they should expect some pushback.”
.@VP: “You’re there to play a sport and you’re there to represent your country and hopefully win a medal. You’re not there to pop off about politics — so when Olympic athletes enter the political arena, they should expect some pushback.” pic.twitter.com/eME2LAt8Pv
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 11, 2026
Vance added that most of Team USA is “doing a great job” regardless of their political affiliation. He also said these athletes recognize they bring the country together by playing their sport well instead of visiting a foreign country to “attack” the U.S. president.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to Milan on Thursday to lead the U.S. delegation for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. It comes as some Republican pundits have floated the possibility of the two heading the party’s 2028 presidential ticket.
VANCE TAKES A STRONG AND JUSTIFIED STANCE AGAINST FAR-RIGHT INTERNET STAR NICK FUENTES
Washington Examiner senior writer Joe Concha said while Hess has the right to free speech, “maybe hand in your Olympic uniform” if he doesn’t appreciate the “privilege” of representing the U.S. He also called Generation Z, which Hess is a member of, “the most privileged, entitled generation that we could ever imagine” when discussing this generation’s lack of pride in living in the U.S.
U.S. Olympic snowboarder Chloe Kim has come to the aid of Hess, saying she was “so happy that so many Olympians are not hesitant to speak out for what they believe in.”
The U.S. has taken home 10 medals as of Wednesday afternoon, including three gold medals, five silver, and two bronze. The 2026 Olympic Winter Games will conclude on Feb. 22.