Donald Trump is certainly not rooting for him.

US Olympian Hunter Hess found himself in the crosshairs of Donald Trump this week. The Olympic skier expressed “mixed emotions representing the US right now” in the Winter Olympic Games.

Hess, who hails from Bend, Oregon, said during a press availability that “just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the US.” His comments come weeks after two deadly incidents involving federal officers in Minneapolis. With the uproar over the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the States, many have been protesting in the streets.

Protests against ICE have even occurred in Milan during the Winter Olympics.

“It’s a little hard; there’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t,” Hunter Hess said.

“I think for me, it’s more I’m representing my friends and family back home, the people that represented it before me, all the things that I believe that are good about the US.”

His comments received some heavy backlash on social media, but none bigger than from the President.

Hunter Hess Responds To Donald Trump Calling Him A “Real Loser”

Olympic Games logo. Credit: Rob Schumacher-Imagn Images
President Trump lashed out at Hess for saying he had “mixed feelings” about representing the United States at the Winter Olympics.

“U.S. Olympic Skier, Hunter Hess, a real Loser, says he doesn’t represent his Country in the current Winter Olympics,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “If that’s the case, he shouldn’t have tried out for the Team, and it’s too bad he’s on it. Very hard to root for someone like this.”

In an Instagram post on Monday, Hess appeared to respond to the criticism from the President. He said he could not wait to represent Team USA and emphasized his right to speak out.

“I love my country,” he wrote.

“There is so much that is great about America, but there are always things that could be better. One of the many things that makes this country so amazing is that we have the right and the freedom to point that out. The best part of the Olympics is that it brings people together, and when so many of us are divided, we need that more than ever. I cannot wait to represent Team USA next week when I compete.”

The Trump administration continues to face backlash globally and at home for its immigration enforcement efforts. Hunter Hess was not the only American athlete to comment on the political situation back home. However, he was the only one to get a harsh response from the President.