Olympic Snowboarders Defend Teammate Over Trump Criticism

Chloe Kim and Eileen Gu call for unity after Trump lashes out at US freeskier Hunter Hess over immigrant comments.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Olympic gold medalist Chloe Kim and American-born freeskier Eileen Gu, who competes for China, have spoken out in support of their teammate Hunter Hess after he faced criticism from former President Donald Trump over comments about the U.S. government's crackdown on immigrants. Kim and Gu called for unity and said athletes should be allowed to voice their opinions, even if they differ from the president's views.

Why it matters

The comments from Kim and Gu highlight the growing divide in the U.S. over immigration policies and the ability of athletes to speak out on political issues. As prominent Asian-American athletes, their support for Hess also shines a light on the racism and discrimination that some Olympians have faced throughout their careers.

The details

Hess drew Trump's ire when he told reporters that "just because I'm wearing the flag doesn't mean I represent everything that's going on in the U.S." in reference to the government's heightened crackdown on immigrants. Trump then lashed out at Hess on social media, calling him "a real Loser" and saying he would be hard pressed to root for him. Kim and Gu, who have both faced their own share of hate and racism, spoke out in support of Hess, saying it's important for athletes to be able to voice their opinions.

  • On February 9, 2026, Hess made comments critical of the U.S. government's immigration policies.
  • Later that day, Trump criticized Hess on social media.

The players

Chloe Kim

A two-time Olympic gold medalist snowboarder whose parents are South Korean immigrants, and who has faced racism throughout her career for her Asian heritage.

Eileen Gu

An American-born freeskier who competes for China, and whose decision to do so has made her a lightning rod.

Hunter Hess

An American freeskier who faced criticism from Trump over comments about the U.S. government's crackdown on immigrants.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who criticized Hess on social media.

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What they’re saying

“I think in moments like these, it is really important for us to unite and kind of stand up for one another for all that's going on.”

— Chloe Kim (eastbaytimes.com)

“As someone who's been caught in the crossfire before, I feel sorry for the athletes.”

— Eileen Gu (eastbaytimes.com)

“I'm really proud to represent the United States. The U.S. has given my family and I so much opportunity, but I also think that we are allowed to voice our opinions of what's going that we need to lead with love and compassion.”

— Chloe Kim (eastbaytimes.com)

What’s next

The controversy over Hess's comments and Trump's response could continue to be a distraction for the athletes competing at the Olympics, overshadowing the spirit of the Games.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the growing divide in the U.S. over immigration policies and the ability of athletes to speak out on political issues. As prominent Asian-American athletes, the support from Kim and Gu for their teammate Hess shines a light on the racism and discrimination that some Olympians have faced.