US ski star backtracks on ‘mixed emotions’ remark after Trump’s ire

American skier Hunter Hess appeared to walk back the “mixed feelings” he said he had about representing the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.

Hess drew backlash from President Donald Trump and others when he made his first comments to reporters last week. But after a few days, Hess made it clear to wear the red, white and blue on one of the sport’s biggest stages.

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“I love my country,” he wrote with an American flag emoji. “There is so much that is great about America, but there are always things that could be better.

“One of the many things that makes this country so great is that we have the right and the freedom to point it out. The best part of the Olympics is that it brings people together, and when so many of us are divided, we need that more than ever. I can’t wait to represent Team USA next week when I compete.”

Hess’s comments came as the Trump administration faced backlash over the use of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in immigration enforcement operations. An incident with ICE agents in January left Renee Good dead in Minnesota. Border Patrol agents also had a deadly encounter with Alex Pretti.

Hunter Hess of Team United States reacts after competing in the Men’s Ski Superpipe Final on day two of the Dew Tour at Copper Mountain on February 25, 2023 in Copper Mountain, Colorado. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

OLYMPIC SKI STAR AMPLIFIES ICE CRITICISM AFTER RELEASING GRAPHIC PHOTO

These incidents were apparently used as the catalyst for the comments made by Hess and his teammate Chris Lillis. Hess said he had “mixed feelings” about representing the United States

“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,” Hess said.

“I think for me it’s more that I’m representing 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.

President Donald Trump arrives to address the economy at a rally Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Clive, Iowa. (Charlie Neibergall/AP Photo)

“I just want to do it for my friends and my family and the people who support me in coming here.”

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Trump ripped Hess for the comments, calling him a “real loser.”