Team USA skiers face backlash over having ‘mixed emotions’ representing US

American freestyle skiers are going through intense backlash on social media following feedback about representing the US on the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, amid the Trump administration’s current immigration enforcement operations within the US.

In a speech forward of Friday’s opening ceremony, a number of members of the Crew USA freestyle ski group spoke out about representing the U.S. as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations proceed underneath President Donald Trump’s second time period.

Bronze medalist Christopher Lillis poses on the rostrum in the course of the males’s aerials awards ceremony in the course of the 2024-25 FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup at Beidahu Ski Resort in Jilin Metropolis, Jilin Province, China. It occurred on February 23, 2025. (Yan Linyun/Xinhua through Getty Photographs)

Two-time Olympian and Olympic gold medalist Chris Lillis stated that whereas he would “by no means” need to signify one other nation on the Video games, he’s “heartbroken” by the federal government’s actions.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

“I really like the USA. I might by no means need to signify one other nation within the Olympics. That stated, athletes are sometimes hesitant to speak about political opinions and the way we take into consideration issues.

“I really feel heartbroken about what’s occurring in the US — I am fairly certain you are referring to ICE and among the protests and issues like that,” he continued. “I feel as a rustic we have to concentrate on respecting the rights of everybody and ensuring we deal with our residents in addition to anybody else, with love and respect. I hope that when individuals take a look at athletes competing within the Olympics, they notice that that’s the America we try to signify.”

Ashley Caldwell (L), Christopher Lillis and Justin Schoenefeld (R) pose with their nationwide flags on the rostrum in the course of the victory ceremony after the freestyle snowboarding combined group aerials ultimate on the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at Genting Snow Park A&M Stadium in Zhangjiakou, China. It occurred on February 10, 2022. (Ben STANSALL/AFP through Getty Photographs)

See also  Chris Hemsworth and Halle Berry Team Up for Heist, Try to Outsmart Mark Ruffalo in New ‘Crime 101’ Trailer

Hunter Hess, the primary Olympian, echoed that sentiment however went a step additional, saying he has “combined feelings” about representing the U.S. at these Video games.

“It is combined emotions to signify the U.S. proper now, I feel. It is a bit of bit troublesome. There’s clearly so much happening that I am not the most important fan of, and I feel lots of people aren’t.”

OLYMPIC STAR POSTS GRAPHIC ANTI-ICE MESSAGE FOR MILAN CORTINA GAMES

“I feel for me it is extra that I signify my family and friends again house, the individuals who represented it earlier than me, all of the issues that I feel are good concerning the US. If it aligns with my ethical values, then I really feel like I am representing it. Simply because I am carrying the flag does not imply I signify all the things that is occurring within the US.”

He continued, “I simply need to do it for my buddies and my household and the individuals who assist me to get right here.”

Hunter Hess reacts in the course of the males’s ski halfpipe ultimate on the Toyota US Grand Prix at Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort in Aspen, Colorado. It occurred on January 9, 2026. (Dustin Satloff/US Ski and Snowboard/Getty Photographs)

The feedback drew sturdy reactions from Crew USA supporters on social media.

“The anti-ICE, liberal athletes are already unbearable on the Olympics,” one remark learn partly. “If you’re not proud to signify the pink, white and blue, then keep house.”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

“Chris Lillis and Hunter Hess ought to be despatched house instantly,” one other person wrote. “They’ve insulted our whole nation on the world stage and may now not signify us.”

“You should not signify the US if you happen to hate it right here,” stated one other message. “I’m so bored with this anti-American rhetoric.”

Hess will compete within the males’s freeski halfpipe and Lillis will compete within the males’s aerials.

Observe Fox Information Digital’s sports reporting on Xand subscribe to the Fox Information Sports activities Huddle e-newsletter.