Eileen Gu Faces Backlash for Criticizing Trump While Representing China

The American-born Olympic skier has been silent on China's alleged human rights abuses.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Eileen Gu, the American-born Olympic skier competing for China, has faced significant backlash on social media after criticizing former President Donald Trump's comments about U.S. Olympian Hunter Hess. Critics have pointed out that Gu has never spoken out against China's alleged human rights abuses, including the persecution of Uyghurs and other minorities.

Why it matters

Gu's comments have sparked a debate about the responsibilities of athletes who choose to represent countries other than the ones they were born in, especially when those countries have been accused of human rights violations. Her silence on China's alleged abuses has led some to accuse her of prioritizing lucrative endorsement deals over speaking out against injustice.

The details

Gu, who was born in San Francisco and is the highest-paid Winter Olympic athlete, made comments criticizing Trump's criticism of Hess for expressing "mixed emotions" about representing the U.S. However, Gu has never spoken out against China's alleged human rights abuses, including the nation's alleged systematic campaign of repression against Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim ethnic minorities. Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom and other critics have blasted Gu, calling her a "traitor" for competing for China instead of the U.S.

  • Gu made her comments about Trump's criticism of Hess on Monday, February 10, 2026.

The players

Eileen Gu

An American-born Olympic skier who is competing for China, where her mother was born. She is the highest-paid Winter Olympic athlete, making an estimated $23 million in 2025 alone from partnerships with Chinese and Western companies.

Enes Kanter Freedom

A former NBA player who has been outspoken in his criticism of Gu for competing for China instead of the U.S.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who criticized U.S. Olympian Hunter Hess for expressing "mixed emotions" about representing the U.S.

Hunter Hess

A U.S. Olympian who expressed "mixed emotions" about representing the U.S., drawing criticism from former President Trump.

Michael Sobolik

A senior fellow at the Hudson Institute who pointed out Gu's silence on China's alleged persecution of Uyghurs and political prisoners.

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What they’re saying

“Eileen Gu is a traitor. She was born in America, raised in America, lives in America, and chose to compete against her own country for the worst human rights abuser on the planet, China. She built her fame in a free country, then chose to represent an authoritarian regime while cashing in on endorsements linked by watchdog groups to mass detention and forced labor camps. When human rights come up, she disappears.”

— Enes Kanter Freedom, Former NBA player (X)

“If you criticize America but won't say a word about the CCP, that says a lot about you. If you're an American athlete that leverages the freedom this country has given you to represent an authoritarian regime, that says even more.”

— Michael Sobolik, Senior fellow, Hudson Institute (X)

What’s next

The backlash against Gu's comments is likely to continue, with more athletes and public figures weighing in on her decision to compete for China despite the country's alleged human rights abuses.

The takeaway

Gu's case highlights the complex issues facing athletes who choose to represent countries other than the ones they were born in, especially when those countries have been accused of human rights violations. Her silence on China's alleged abuses has led many to question her priorities and the responsibilities of athletes in the global spotlight.