Seemingly miffed by the president’s expectations of national pride on the Olympic stage, a CNN anchor appeared to rise to the defense of a Team USA skier with “mixed emotions.”
During a press conference where U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations were brought up, skier Hunter Hess raised his own “moral values” as he danced around specifics regarding political disfavor. Connecting the dots appeared a bridge too far for CNN’s Jake Tapper, however, as he stepped in over President Donald Trump’s “Loser” slam against the athlete, deeming the shared opinion “mild unspecified criticisms.”
Sunday morning, the president took to Truth Social and wrote, “U.S. Olympic Skier, Hunter Hess, a real loser, says he doesn’t represent his Country in the current Winter Olympics. If that’s the case, he shouldn’t have tried out for the Team, and it’s too bad he’s on it. Very hard to root for someone like this. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Reacting to this, Tapper juxtaposed the post with the quote from Hess, adding the caption, “The president is now attacking a US Olympian as a ‘Loser’ and misrepresenting his words for his mild unspecified criticisms about things going on in the US right now.”
The president is now attacking a US Olympian as a “Loser” and misrepresenting his words for his mild unspecified criticisms about things going on in the US right now. pic.twitter.com/kjddyDAsZ8
— Jake Tapper 🦅 (@jaketapper) February 8, 2026
As had been reported, during a press conference, Hess expressed, “I think it brings up mixed emotions to represent the U.S. now, I think. It’s a little 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.”
“I think for me it’s more I’m representing my, like, friends and family back home, the people that represent it before me, all the things that I believe are good about the U.S.,” he continued. “I just think, if it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I’m representing it. Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S. So yeah, I just kind of want to do it like for my friends and my family and the people that supported me getting here.”
During the same press conference, teammate Chris Lillis specifically commented on how ICE was brought up as he expressed, “I think that as a country we need to focus on respecting everybody’s rights and making sure that we’re treating our citizens, as well as anybody, with love and respect, and I hope that when people look at athletes competing in the Olympics they realize that that’s the America we’re trying to represent.”
Likewise, Team USA figure skater Amber Glenn turned fans against her for chiding the Trump administration over alleged impacts on the human rights of homosexuals and others who fly the rainbow flag. “Now, especially, it’s not just affecting the queer community, but many other communities, and I think that we are able to support each other in a way that we didn’t have to before, and because of that, it’s made us a lot stronger. I hope I can use my platform and my voice throughout these games to encourage people to stay strong in these hard times.”
“It is something that I will not just be quiet about because it is something that affects us in our everyday lives,” she added in response to those who would tell her to “Shut up about politics.”
Before ultimately deleting the post, Team USA captain for the 1980 Miracle on Ice hockey team, Mike Eruzione, suggested a “family and friends” uniform for those representing the United States who “just don’t get it.”
Similar sentiments were shared directed at Tapper for appearing to defend the skier, openly admitting his decision not to represent the United States while holding a spot on the team.
Mild unspecified criticisms? Really that’s the only context you can assign to the comments?
— Tom Lankford (@TomLankford3) February 9, 2026
I don’t think he misrepresented anything. It’s pretty clear.
— HopeSurfsUp (@HopeSurfsUp) February 9, 2026
He said he’s representing his friends, family and those who supported him- not his country
— NStep (@NStepisme) February 8, 2026
He shouldn’t wear the team uniform and flag and represent the USA if he is so ashamed. OR, he could just tell the reporter it’s not the time or place for questions like this. He fell for the bait. Embarrassing.
— Lakes N Pains (@lakesnpains) February 8, 2026
Sounds to me like he is saying he is not representing the US, but rather his own morals, no?
— LongUSAinvestor (@longUSAinvestor) February 8, 2026
Anyone in the real world who would publicly denigrate their employer or team wouldn’t be there for long.
He is where he is to represent the USA. If he doesn’t want to do that, he should be sent home.
— Rick K (@RickKonkey) February 9, 2026
He didn’t misrepresent anything. America heard what he said. You don’t represent your country by trash talking it.
— Deborah (@DeborahBHint) February 8, 2026
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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