- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
MAGA Calls for Removal of US Olympian Over Patriotism Remarks
Freestyle skier Hunter Hess faces backlash for comments about not fully representing America
Published on Feb. 9, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
People associated with the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement have called for the removal of U.S. Olympic freestyle skier Hunter Hess from the team after he expressed reservations about representing his country at the Winter Olympics. Hess said at a press conference that wearing the American flag doesn't mean he represents "everything that's going on in the U.S.", drawing criticism from MAGA figures who denounced his comments and demanded he be stripped of his Olympic uniform.
Why it matters
Hess's remarks have sparked a debate around patriotism, free speech, and the expectations placed on athletes representing their country in international competitions. The backlash from MAGA supporters highlights the polarized political climate in the U.S. and the pressure high-profile athletes can face for expressing views that deviate from perceived norms of national pride.
The details
At a press conference on Wednesday, Hess said representing America had brought up "mixed emotions" and that there were things occurring in America that he wasn't "the biggest fan of." He stated: "Just because I'm wearing the flag doesn't mean I represent everything that's going on in the U.S." This prompted a strong reaction from MAGA figures, with Representative Derrick Van Orden posting a photo of Hess alongside an image of Arlington National Cemetery, writing that those buried there risked their lives "for his entitled, ungrateful ass." Conservative podcast host Eric Matheny also said Hess's "privilege" of representing the U.S. should be "revoked."
- Hess made the comments at a press conference on Wednesday, February 5, 2026.
- Representative Van Orden posted his response on X (Twitter) on Saturday, February 8, 2026.
The players
Hunter Hess
A U.S. freestyle skier competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Derrick Van Orden
A Republican U.S. Representative from Wisconsin and a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump.
Eric Matheny
A conservative podcast host.
What they’re saying
“Just because I'm wearing the flag doesn't mean I represent everything that's going on in the U.S.”
— Hunter Hess, U.S. Olympian (Newsweek)
“Hess needs to be stripped of that uniform and sent back home via Arlington National Cemetery.”
— Derrick Van Orden, U.S. Representative (X (Twitter)
“Representing your country in the Olympics is a privilege; not a right. That privilege should be revoked.”
— Eric Matheny, Conservative Podcast Host (Newsweek)
What’s next
The U.S. Freeski Team has not yet commented on the calls for Hess's removal from the Olympic team. It remains to be seen if the U.S. Olympic Committee will take any action in response to the backlash against Hess.
The takeaway
This incident highlights the ongoing tensions around patriotism, free speech, and the expectations placed on athletes representing their country. It underscores the polarized political climate in the U.S. and the pressure high-profile athletes can face for expressing views that deviate from perceived norms of national pride.
