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US freestyle skiers are facing intense backlash on social media after comments made about representing the US at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics amid the Trump administration’s recent US immigration enforcement operations
Speaking to the media ahead of Friday’s opening ceremony, several members of Team USA’s freestyle skiing team spoke out about representing the United States as US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations continue to be conducted during President Donald Trump’s second term.
Bronze medalist Christopher Lillis poses on the podium during the men’s aerials award ceremony at the 2024-25 FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup at Beidahu Ski Resort in Jilin City, Jilin Province, China. It happened on February 23, 2025. (Yan Linyun/Xinhua via Getty Images)
Two-time Olympian and Olympic gold medalist Chris Lillis said that while he would “never” want to represent another country in the Games, he is “devastated” by the administration’s actions.
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“I love the United States. I would never want to represent another country at the Olympics. That being said, a lot of times athletes are hesitant to talk about political views and how we feel about things.
“I feel devastated by what’s happening in the United States — I’m pretty sure you’re referring to ICE and some of the protests and things like that,” he continued. “I think as a country we need to focus on respecting everyone’s rights and making sure we treat our citizens just like everyone else, with love and respect. I hope that when people look at athletes competing in the Olympics, they realize that this is the America we’re trying to represent.”
Ashley Caldwell (L), Christopher Lillis and Justin Schoenefeld (R) pose with their national flags on the podium during the victory ceremony after the freestyle skiing mixed team aerials final at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the Genting Snow Park A & M Stadium in Zhangjiakou, China. It happened on February 10, 2022. (Ben STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)
First-time Olympic hunter Hess echoed that sentiment, but took it further, saying he has “mixed feelings” about representing the United States in these Games.
“It’s mixed feelings representing the United States right now, I think. It’s kind of hard. There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t.”
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“I think for me it’s more that I represent my friends and family back home, the people who represented it before me, all the things that I think are good about the United States — if it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I’m representing it. Just because I’m carrying the flag doesn’t mean I’m representing everything that’s going on in the United States.”
He continued: “I just want to do it for my friends and my family and the people who support me in coming here.”
Hunter Hess reacts during the men’s ski halfpipe final at the Toyota US Grand Prix at Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort in Aspen, Colorado. It happened on January 9, 2026. (Dustin Satloff/US Ski and Snowboard/Getty Images)
The remarks sparked a strong response from Team USA supporters on social media.
“The anti-ICE, liberal athletes are already insufferable at the Olympics,” one comment read in part. “If you’re not proud to represent the red, white and blue, stay home.”
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“Chris Lillis and Hunter Hess should be sent home immediately,” another user wrote. “They have insulted our entire nation on the world stage and should no longer be allowed to represent us.”
“You shouldn’t be representing the USA if you hate this,” read another post. “So tired of this anti-American rhetoric.”
Hess competes in the men’s freeski halfpipe, and Lillis competes in the men’s aerials.
