Eileen Gu Claps Back at VP Vance's Criticism Over Competing for China

The Chinese-American skier responds to allegations of 'treasonous' decision to represent China at the Olympics.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Eileen Gu, the 22-year-old Chinese-American skier, responded to criticism from Vice President JD Vance over her decision to compete for China at the Winter Olympics in Milan. Vance had accused Gu, who was born in San Francisco and is a student at Stanford University, of making a 'treasonous move' by not representing the United States. Gu quipped 'Thanks, JD!' when asked about Vance's comments, and said she feels like a 'punching bag' for some American political figures who 'hate China' and lump it into a 'monolithic entity.' Gu also revealed she was physically attacked on Stanford's campus last year by someone angry over her decision not to compete for Team USA.

Why it matters

Gu's decision to compete for China has sparked intense political debate, with some American politicians accusing her of betrayal. This case highlights the complex issues of national identity, athlete representation, and geopolitical tensions that can arise when athletes with dual citizenship or backgrounds choose to compete for a country other than the one they were born in or raised in.

The details

Eileen Gu, a 22-year-old freestyle skier, won two gold medals and a silver for China at the 2022 Winter Olympics. She is currently a student at Stanford University and is competing for China again at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, where she has already secured two silver medals. In a Tuesday appearance on Fox News, Vice President JD Vance criticized Gu's decision, saying he 'would hope they want to compete with the United States of America' since she 'benefited from our education system' and 'the freedoms and liberties that make this country a great place.' Gu responded to Vance's comments by quipping 'Thanks, JD!' and said she feels like a 'punching bag' for American politicians who 'hate China.' Gu also revealed she was physically attacked on Stanford's campus last year by someone angry over her decision not to compete for Team USA.

  • Eileen Gu won two gold medals and a silver for China at the 2022 Winter Olympics.
  • Gu is currently competing for China again at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, where she has already secured two silver medals.
  • On Tuesday, Vice President JD Vance criticized Gu's decision to compete for China in an appearance on Fox News.
  • On Thursday, Gu responded to Vance's comments after advancing to the Feb. 21 freestyle skiing finals.

The players

Eileen Gu

A 22-year-old Chinese-American skier who won two gold medals and a silver for China at the 2022 Winter Olympics and is competing for China again at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

JD Vance

The Vice President of the United States who criticized Gu's decision to compete for China instead of the United States.

Stanford University

The university where Gu is currently a student and where she was physically attacked last year by someone angry over her decision not to compete for Team USA.

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What they’re saying

“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 they want to compete with the United States of America.”

— JD Vance, Vice President (Fox News)

“I'm flattered. Thanks, JD! That's sweet.”

— Eileen Gu (USA Today)

“So many athletes compete for a different country. People only have a problem with me doing it because they kind of lump China into this monolithic entity, and they just hate China. So it's not really about what they think it's about.”

— Eileen Gu (USA Today)

What’s next

Gu is set to compete in the freestyle skiing finals on February 21st in Milan.

The takeaway

Eileen Gu's decision to compete for China at the Olympics has sparked intense political debate, highlighting the complex issues of national identity, athlete representation, and geopolitical tensions that can arise when athletes with dual citizenship or backgrounds choose to compete for a country other than the one they were born in or raised in.