president Donald Trump U.S. Olympic skier Hunter Hess reacted to outrage on Sunday over comments he made while representing his country at the Cortina Games in Milan.

In harsh words on social media, Trump called Hess a “real loser.”

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Team USA Hunter Hess reacts after competing in the men’s ski superpipe final during day two of the Dew Tour event on February 25, 2023 in Copper Mountain, Colorado. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

“U.S. Olympic skier Hunter Hess is a true loser and says he can’t represent his country at this Winter Olympics,” he wrote.

“If that’s the case, he shouldn’t have tried out for the team, and it’s too bad he did. It’s hard to root for a guy like that. Make America Great Again!”

‘Miracle on Ice’ star Mike Eruzione Hess’s remarks were also disputed. He wrote on X that if Hess felt that way, he shouldn’t have put on the uniform. The former men’s ice hockey Olympian later deleted his post.

Hess’s comments came as the Trump administration was criticized for using U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in illegal immigration activities. In January, an incident with ICE agents in Minnesota left one person dead. The woman was identified as Renee Good. Border Patrol agents also had a fatal encounter with Alex Pretty.

Hunter Hess reacts during the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix men’s ski halfpipe final at Snowmass Ski Resort in Aspen, Colorado. It happened on January 9, 2026. (Dustin Satloff/USA Ski & Snowboard/Getty Images)

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The incidents were apparently used as a catalyst for comments from Hess and teammate Chris Lillis. Hess says he has “mixed emotions” about representing Team USA

“I think there are mixed emotions that come with representing the United States right now. It’s a little difficult. There’s obviously a lot of things that I’m not the most passionate about, and I think a lot of people aren’t either,” Hess said.

“I think, for me, it’s more about representing my friends and family back home, the people in front of me, all the good things about America. If it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I represent it. Just because I wear the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in America.

President Donald Trump delivers a statement in the South Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House on Thursday, February 5, 2026, in Washington, DC. (Aaron Schwartz/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“I just wanted to do it for my friends, my family and the people who supported me to get here.”

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Hess is competing in the men’s freeski halfpipe competition.

Fox News’ Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report.

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