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American free skier Hunter Hess flashed an “L” hand sign after finishing his Olympic qualifying race in the halfpipe on Friday, an apparent nod to President Donald Trump’s criticism of the Olympian, who previously said he had “mixed emotions” about representing the United States at the Milan Cortina Games.
Hess shaped his index finger and thumb to form the letter “L” and raised his hand to his forehead after finishing his run.
Hunter Hess of the United States reacts during the men’s freestyle skiing halfpipe qualifications at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Livigno, Italy, February 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
“Apparently,” he explained, according to The Associated Press. “I’m a loser.”
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The comment was a reference to Trump’s previous criticism of Hess, in which the president called him a “real loser” in a social media post following Hess’ controversial comments about representing the United States in the Olympics under the current administration.
“I worked very hard to be here. I sacrificed my entire life to make this happen,” Hess said Friday. “I’m not going to let a controversy like that get in my way. I love the United States of America. I can’t say it enough. In my original statement, I felt like I said that, but apparently people didn’t take it that way. I’m very happy to be here, very happy to represent Team USA.”
Hess was among a group of freestyle skiers and other American athletes who expressed their opinions about representing the United States in Milan Cortina. During a press conference ahead of his events, Hess said he had “mixed emotions” about it.
Hunter Hess of the United States reacts while competing in the Men’s Freeski Halfpipe Final during the 2025 Toyota Grand Prix of the United States at Copper Mountain on December 20, 2025 in Copper Mountain, Colorado. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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“I think it brings mixed emotions to represent America right now. It’s a little difficult. Obviously there are a lot of things going on that I’m not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t,” he began.
“I think, for me, the important thing is to represent my friends and family in my country, the people who represented it before me, all the things that I think are good about America. 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 happening in America.
“I just want to do it for my friends, my family and the people who support me to get here.”
President Donald Trump responded to his comments in a social media post by calling Hess a “real loser.”
Hunter Hess of the United States performs a trick in the halfpipe final during the World Cup U.S. Grand Prix freestyle skiing event in Copper Mountain, Colorado, on Dec. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Hugh Carey, File)
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“American Olympic skier Hunter Hess, a real loser, says he is not representing his country in the current Winter Olympics,” he wrote. “If that’s the case, he shouldn’t have tried out for the team, and it’s a shame he’s on it. It’s so hard to support someone like this. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Hess said Friday that he stands by what he initially said, but added: “It means a lot to me to be able to represent Team USA here. I worked very, very hard to get here. I stand by what I said.”
Hess is one of four Americans who qualified for the 12-man halfpipe final on Friday.
