Eileen Gu holding her skier and JD Vance holding his USA flag

JD Vance had a lot to say about Eileen Gu.

Vice President JD Vance has a significant issue with San Francisco-born skier Eileen Gu as she competes at the Winter Olympics.

Vance has been at the Winter Olympics since the beginning. He was booed mercilessly at the Opening Ceremony while sports reporter Sarah Spain criticized him for being there. He was then referred to as a pedophile protector.

He has not spoken out about those comments. What he has spoken out about concerns an athlete flying another country’s flag. Vice President JD Vance suggested San Francisco-born skier Eileen Gu should be competing for the U.S.

“I certainly think that somebody who grew up in the United States of America, who benefited from our education system, from the freedoms and liberties that make this country a great place, I would hope that they want to compete with the United States of America,” Vance said.

“So, I’m going to root for American athletes, and I think part of that is people who identify themselves as Americans. That’s who I’m rooting for this Olympics.”

Eileen Gu Continues To Shine At The Winter Olympics

Feb 16, 2026; Livigno, Italy; Silver medalist Ailing Eileen Gu of the People’s Republic of China (Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
Vice President JD Vance criticized American-born skier Eileen Gu competing for China at the Olympics during a Fox News interview. She has not responded with her words, but with her talent.

With her two silver medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, she has become the most decorated female freestyle skier in Olympic history.

Gu has been at the center of international criticism about her decision to represent China in these Olympics. She also represented China at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games. She grew up in California and went to Stanford.

Eileen made her decision to compete for China in 2019. At the time, she said that it was an “incredibly tough” decision. The decision certainly helped her bank account. Gu is the highest-paid Winter Olympic athlete in the world. She made an estimated $23 million in 2025 alone amid partnerships with Chinese companies, per Fox News.

She has one final event, the halfpipe, remaining on Saturday, where she has the opportunity to add to her total.