US Skier SLAMMED by Trump Sparks Fury

Athlete skiing down a snowy slope around a slalom pole

California-born skier Eileen Gu, now competing for China, draws fierce backlash for lecturing President Trump on American politics while wearing Beijing’s colors at the 2026 Olympics.

Story Snapshot

Gu wins silver for China in slopestyle, then criticizes Trump’s Truth Social post calling unpatriotic U.S. skier Hunter Hess a “real loser.”
Born in San Francisco, Gu ditched Team USA for China amid 2022 sponsorship controversies, dodging citizenship questions.
Chinese state media amplifies her call for “apolitical” Olympics, framing Trump’s patriotism as divisive.
Backlash grows over Gu meddling in U.S. affairs from China’s side, echoing loyalty concerns.

Gu’s Olympic Silver and Political Jab

Eileen Gu secured silver in women’s slopestyle at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics on February 9, 2026, in Livigno, Italy. Immediately after, in mixed zone interviews and press conferences, she addressed President Donald Trump’s Truth Social post. Trump labeled U.S. skier Hunter Hess a “real loser” after Hess expressed “mixed emotions” about representing America due to domestic politics. Gu deemed the rhetoric unfortunate, calling sport a “sacred space” and “safe space” overshadowed by politics. She sympathized with Hess, trapped in an “unwinnable press war.” This stance from a China-competing athlete born in the U.S. fuels accusations of disloyalty.

Eileen Gu garners backlash for commenting on Trump's statement while representing China https://t.co/rZhj91g6dS #FoxNews

— A.J Dos Santos (@AndrewJ9J) February 11, 2026

Hess Sparks Firestorm with Anti-Patriotism

On February 6, 2026, Hunter Hess stated at a press conference that carrying the U.S. flag brings “mixed emotions” unless it aligns with his moral values. He clarified it does not endorse all American actions. Trump responded swiftly on Truth Social, declaring Hess a “real loser” and saying he would struggle to cheer for him. The exchange reverberated through the Olympic village by February 9, when Hess competed amid the uproar. Trump’s direct call for patriotic loyalty resonates with conservatives frustrated by athletes prioritizing personal politics over national pride.

Gu’s Controversial China Switch

Born in San Francisco to a Chinese mother, Eileen Gu rose as a freestyle skiing star. In 2022, she switched to represent China before the Beijing Olympics, winning two golds and a silver. Critics accused her of chasing Chinese sponsorships over U.S. loyalty amid rising tensions. Gu spent at least 25% of her pre-2022 life in China, citing its freestyle skiing growth as motivation while claiming America has plenty of talent. China bars dual nationality, yet she evaded citizenship questions. Entering Milan-Cortina with her 20th World Cup title, her heritage amplifies scrutiny as she critiques U.S. internal matters.

Gu’s history mirrors patterns where elite athletes leverage global opportunities at the expense of American representation. Conservatives see this as emblematic of globalism eroding national allegiance, especially when she positions herself above U.S. political discourse while competing for an adversarial nation.

Read "Eileen Gu garners backlash for commenting on Trump’s statement while representing China" on SmartNews: https://t.co/ydmbBdBYPH

— Shugg (@DonnaKi86960276) February 11, 2026

Chinese Media and Broader Tensions

Chinese state outlets like China Daily and Global Times amplified Gu’s comments, portraying her as defender of Olympic unity against U.S. “political intrusion.” They echoed her view that sport serves as a “common language” free from division. This framing contrasts Trump’s push for unapologetic patriotism, a stance that rallied support during his presidency. No further Trump response appeared by February 11, 2026, but the controversy pressures U.S. athletes on loyalty amid Olympic distractions. IOC emphasizes apolitical focus, yet national rivalries persist.

Power dynamics highlight Trump’s influence over U.S. sports narratives versus Gu’s stardom backed by China. Athletes like Hess remain vulnerable to public scrutiny, underscoring stakes in blending sports with politics.