by Sharelle B. McNair
February 12, 2026
After President Donald Trump known as freestyle halfpipe skier Hunter Hess “an actual Loser,” Vance got here in to defend saying “once they enter the political space, they need to count on some pushback.”
After being booed on the 2026 Winter Video games in Milan, Vice President JD Vance inspired athletes representing the US to stick to profitable the gold of their sport and reminded them that they’re not there to “pop off about politics.”
The remarks come after a number of U.S. Olympians, reminiscent of freestyle halfpipe skier Hunter Hess, appeared to criticize actions going down stateside.
“There’s clearly loads happening that I’m not the largest fan of,” Hess stated. “Sporting the flag doesn’t imply I symbolize every little thing that’s happening within the U.S.”
President Donald Trump caught wind of the remark and known as the award-winning athlete “an actual Loser,” in response to USA Right now.
Vance got here in to defend his boss, saying, “Once they enter the political space, they need to count on some pushback,” whereas encouraging the athletes to recollect who they symbolize. “I do know your entire nation is rooting for them. Sure, you’re going to have some Olympic athletes that pop off about politics, I really feel like that occurs each Olympics,” Vance advised reporters.
“My recommendation to them can be to attempt to carry the nation collectively, and once you’re representing the nation, you’re representing Democrats and Republicans. You’re there to play a sport, and also you’re there to symbolize your nation and hopefully win a medal. You’re not there to pop off about politics.”
Hess responded to Trump’s name-calling and alluded to the First Modification — the liberty of speech — being among the finest issues concerning the nation. “I like my nation… however there are all the time issues that might be higher,” Hess stated.
“One of many many issues that makes this nation so superb is that now we have the precise and the liberty to level that out.”
The feedback from Vance come as a reminder of the “shut up and dribble” narrative popularized by Fox Information anchor Laura Inghram in 2018, pushing towards Black athletes reminiscent of former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick and NBA legend LeBron James. “Maintain the political feedback to yourselves. Shut up and dribble,” she stated.
Whereas a number of conservative lawmakers and leaders have used the First Modification as a option to condemn latest ICE protests rising in Minnesota and different locations, some lawmakers are siding with Hess, pushing blame on the president’s international coverage strikes as their purpose for pushback.
“Trump known as American Olympian Hunter Hess a “actual loser” for criticizing what’s taking place in our nation underneath Trump. Mr. President, this isn’t a monarchy. That is the US, and nobody is required to bow all the way down to you,” Sen. Bernie Sanders wrote on X.
“Hess will not be a ‘loser.’ He’s a proud American.”
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