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Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., criticized President Donald Trump on Sunday for comments he made about U.S. Olympian Hunter Hess.
Hess faced the president’s wrath after he said he had “mixed emotions” about representing the United States at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. Trump responded by calling the skier a “real loser.”
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Hunter Hess of the United States reacts during the Men’s Ski Halfpipe Final at the Toyota Grand Prix of the United States at Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort on January 9, 2026 in Aspen, Colorado. (Dustin Satloff/US Ski & Snowboard/Getty Images)
“Trump called American Olympian Hunter Hess a ‘real loser’ for criticizing what is happening in our country under Trump,” Sanders wrote on X. “Mr. President, this is not a monarchy. This is America and no one is forced to bow to you.
“Hess is not a loser. He is a proud American.”
Hess’ comments came as the Trump administration faced backlash over its use of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in immigration enforcement operations. An incident with ICE agents in January left Renee Good dead in Minnesota. Border Patrol agents also had a deadly encounter with Alex Pretti.
Those incidents were apparently used as a catalyst for comments from Hess and teammate Chris Lillis. Hess said he had “mixed emotions” about representing the United States.
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Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders has introduced legislation targeting what Democrats describe as President Donald Trump’s “narcissism,” seeking to prevent sitting presidents from putting their own names on federal buildings. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
“I think it brings mixed emotions to represent America right now. It’s a little difficult. There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not a big fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t,” Hess said.
“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.”
Trump criticized Hess on Truth Social.
“American Olympic skier Hunter Hess, a real loser, says he is not representing his country in the current Winter Olympics,” he wrote.
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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“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!”
