Former Knicks Player Calls Eileen Gu 'Traitor' for Representing China

Enes Kanter Freedom criticizes American-born Olympic skier for competing for China

Feb. 20, 2026 at 10:31pm

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Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom condemned American-born Team China Olympic skier Eileen Gu, calling her a "traitor" for competing for China instead of the United States. Gu, who has never spoken out against China's alleged human rights abuses, has faced global criticism for her decision to represent China dating back to 2019.

Why it matters

Gu's decision to compete for China has sparked a geopolitical controversy, with critics accusing her of betraying the country where she was born and raised. The debate highlights the complex issues surrounding athlete citizenship and national representation, especially when it involves countries with concerning human rights records.

The details

In an interview on Fox News, Kanter Freedom said Gu "was born in America, was raised in America, lives in America, and chooses to compete against her own country for, literally, the worst human rights abuser on the planet, China." He compared Gu's silence on China's alleged human rights abuses to LeBron James' refusal to comment on the issue in 2019. Gu, who is the highest-paid Winter Olympic athlete, has reportedly been paid millions by the Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau.

  • Kanter Freedom made his comments during an interview on Fox News' 'Ingraham Angle' on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.

The players

Enes Kanter Freedom

A former NBA player who played for the New York Knicks and is known for his outspoken criticism of human rights abuses.

Eileen Gu

An American-born Olympic skier who is competing for Team China in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina.

LeBron James

An NBA player who declined to comment on China's alleged human rights abuses in 2019.

Jimmy Lai

A politician who has been jailed by the Chinese government.

JD Vance

The Vice President of the United States who weighed in on the controversy surrounding Eileen Gu.

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What they’re saying

“I'm just going to say it, she's a traitor. She was born in America. She was raised in America, lives in America, and chooses to compete against her own country for, literally, the worst human rights abuser on the planet, China. She built her fame in a free country, and then chooses to represent an authoritarian regime.”

— Enes Kanter Freedom, Former NBA Player

“I have no idea what her status should be, I think that's ultimately up to the Olympics Committee, I won't pretend to wade into that. I certainly think that someone who grew up in the United States of America who benefited from our education system, from the freedoms and liberties that makes this country a great place, I would hope they want to compete with the United States of America. So, I'm going to root for American athletes, I think part of that is people who identify themselves as Americans. That's who I'm rooting for in this Olympics.”

— JD Vance, Vice President

What’s next

The International Olympic Committee will likely review Eileen Gu's status and eligibility to compete for China in the upcoming events.

The takeaway

Eileen Gu's decision to represent China at the Olympics has sparked a heated debate over national loyalty, human rights, and the complex issues surrounding athlete citizenship. This controversy highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability from athletes on issues of global importance.