Figure Skater Amber Glenn Faces Threats After Speaking Up

The U.S. national champion is taking a social media break due to violent backlash.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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U.S. national champion figure skater Amber Glenn said she has been receiving violent threats and will be limiting her time on social media after speaking up for LGBTQ rights in a recent press interview. Glenn, who came out as queer in 2019, discussed President Trump's treatment of the LGBTQ community and vowed to use her platform to encourage people to stay strong, despite facing criticism for voicing her political views.

Why it matters

Glenn's experience highlights the challenges LGBTQ athletes can face when speaking out on political and social issues. As an openly queer athlete representing the U.S. in the Olympics, Glenn's decision to use her platform to advocate for LGBTQ rights has drawn both support and backlash, underscoring the ongoing debates around the role of politics in sports.

The details

In a Feb. 4 interview, Glenn was 'asked directly about President Trump, his treatment of the LGBTQ community and how it affects her.' She replied that even though it has been 'a hard time' for the LGBTQ+ community, she intends to use her platform and her voice as a champion skater 'to try and encourage people to stay strong.' As a result, Glenn said she has been receiving a 'scary amount of hate/threats' and will be limiting her time on social media 'for her own wellbeing.' However, she vowed to never stop using her voice for what she believes in.

  • On February 4, 2026, Glenn spoke up about LGBTQ rights in a press interview.
  • On February 7, 2026, Glenn announced she would be limiting her time on social media due to the threats she has received.

The players

Amber Glenn

A U.S. national champion figure skater who came out as queer in 2019 and has faced backlash for speaking up about LGBTQ rights and President Trump's treatment of the LGBTQ community.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, whose treatment of the LGBTQ community was criticized by Amber Glenn in a recent interview.

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What they’re saying

“I know that a lot of people will say, 'You're just an athlete, stick to your job and shut up about politics,' but politics affects us all. It's something that I will not just be quiet about, because it is something that affects us in our everyday lives. So of course there are things that I disagree with, but as a community, we are strong and we support each other, and brighter days are ahead of us.”

— Amber Glenn, U.S. National Champion Figure Skater (People Magazine)

“When I chose to utilize one of the amazing things about the United States of America (Freedom of speech) to convey how I feel as an athlete competing for Team USA in a troubling time for many Americans I am now receiving a scary amount of hate/threats for simply using my voice WHEN ASKED about how I feel.”

— Amber Glenn (Instagram)

What’s next

The U.S. Olympic Committee and U.S. Figure Skating will likely need to address the threats and harassment Amber Glenn has faced and provide additional support and security for her as she prepares to represent the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

The takeaway

Amber Glenn's experience highlights the ongoing challenges LGBTQ athletes face when speaking out on political and social issues, even when using their platform to advocate for equality and acceptance. Her decision to limit her social media use in response to the threats she has received underscores the need for greater protections and support for LGBTQ athletes who choose to use their voice.