Olympic Skier Eileen Gu Faces Backlash for Criticizing Trump While Competing for China

The American-born athlete has drawn criticism for her comments on Trump's statement about U.S. Olympian Hunter Hess.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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American-born Olympic skier Eileen Gu, who competes for Team China, has faced intense backlash on social media after commenting on former President Donald Trump's criticism of U.S. Olympian Hunter Hess. Gu, the highest-paid Winter Olympic athlete, has never spoken out publicly against China's alleged human rights abuses, including the nation's alleged campaign of repression against Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities. Critics have accused Gu of being a "traitor" for choosing to represent China over the U.S.

Why it matters

Gu's comments have sparked a debate about the expectations placed on athletes who compete for countries other than the ones they were born in. Her silence on China's alleged human rights violations has also drawn scrutiny, with critics arguing that she is unwilling to criticize the authoritarian regime she represents.

The details

Gu, who was born in San Francisco, made comments criticizing Trump's recent statement about U.S. Olympian Hunter Hess, who expressed "mixed emotions" about representing the U.S. in the Milan Cortina Olympics. Gu said the controversy "runs contrary to everything the Olympics should be" and claimed she had been "caught in the crossfire" herself. 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.

  • Gu made her comments on Monday, February 10, 2026.

The players

Eileen Gu

An American-born Olympic skier who competes for Team China, making her the highest-paid Winter Olympic athlete in the world with an estimated $23 million in earnings in 2025.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, who recently criticized U.S. Olympian Hunter Hess for expressing "mixed emotions" about representing the U.S. in the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Hunter Hess

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

Enes Kanter Freedom

A former NBA player who blasted Eileen Gu on social media, calling her a "traitor" for competing for China instead of the U.S.

Michael Sobolik

A senior fellow at the Hudson Institute who criticized Gu for her silence on China's alleged persecution of Uyghurs and the political imprisonment of individuals who oppose Xi Jinping.

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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)

“Can't imagine a worse voice on this topic than an athlete who threw away her American citizenship for Chinese Communist Party endorsement deals. Does Eileen Gu have any criticism for Xi Jinping for genocide, slavery, and arresting dissenters?”

— Matt Whitlock, Republican communications specialist (X)

What’s next

The controversy surrounding Eileen Gu's comments is likely to continue, with further scrutiny of her silence on China's alleged human rights abuses and her decision to compete for China instead of the U.S.

The takeaway

Eileen Gu's comments have sparked a wider debate about the expectations placed on athletes who compete for countries other than the ones they were born in, as well as the responsibility of public figures to speak out against human rights violations. Her case highlights the complex issues surrounding national identity, political allegiance, and the role of sports in global politics.