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U.S. freeskier Hunter Hess flashed an “L” hand signal after finishing his Olympic halfpipe qualifying race Friday, an apparent nod to President Donald Trump’s criticism of the Olympian, who previously said he had “mixed feelings” about representing the United States at the Cortina Games in Milan.
Hess formed his index finger and thumb into the letter “L” and raised his hand to his forehead after finishing his run.
USA’s Hunter Hess reacts during the men’s freestyle skiing halfpipe qualification at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Livigno, Italy, February 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
“Apparently,” he explained, according to The Associated Press. “I’m a loser.”
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The remark was a reference to Trump’s previous criticism of Hess, with the president calling him a “real loser” in a social media post following Hess’ controversial remarks about representing the United States at the Olympics under the current administration.
“I worked so hard to be here. I sacrificed my whole life to make it happen,” Hess said Friday. “I’m not going to let controversy like that get in the way. I love the USA. I can’t say it enough. My original statement, I felt like I said it, but obviously people didn’t take it that way. I’m so happy to be here, so happy to represent Team USA.”
Hess was among a group of U.S. freestyle skiers and other U.S. athletes to address their thoughts on representing the U.S. at Milan Cortina. During a press conference before his events, Hess said he had “mixed feelings” about it.
Hunter Hess of the United States reacts while competing in the Men’s Freeski Halfpipe Final during the 2025 Toyota US Grand Prix at Copper Mountain on December 20, 2025 in Copper Mountain, Colorado. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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“It’s mixed feelings representing the United States right now, I guess. 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,” he began.
“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.
“I just want to do it for my friends and my family and the people who support me in coming here.”
President Donald Trump responded to his comments in a social media post at the time, calling Hess a “real loser.”
Hunter Hess of the United States performs a trick in the halfpipe final during the World Cup US Grand Prix freestyle skiing in Copper Mountain, Colorado, Dec. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Hugh Carey, File)
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“U.S. Olympic skier Hunter Hess, a real loser, says he won’t represent his country in the current Winter Olympics,” he wrote. “If that’s the case he shouldn’t have tried out for the team and it’s a shame he’s on. Very hard to root for someone like that. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Hess said Friday that he stands by what he originally said, but added, “It means the absolute world to me to be able to represent Team USA here. I worked so hard to get here. I stand by what I said.”
Hess is one of four Americans who qualified for the 12-man halfpipe final on Friday.
