Hunter Hess reversed course and pledged to represent Team USA after saying he felt “mixed emotions” about wearing the flag, drawing a harsh response from President Trump and a wider backlash that forced a more polished statement.

Hunter Hess initially told reporters he had “mixed emotions” about representing the United States at the Winter Olympics, then posted a much warmer message on Instagram after criticism intensified. President Trump called Hess a “real loser,” and the incident turned into a debate about patriotism, athlete speech, and public judgment. The controversy highlights how athletes navigate identity and national representation on the world stage.

Hess’s Instagram post shifted tone quickly and included a clear expression of affection for his country. The post opened with a direct line:

“I love my country. There is so much that is great about America, but there are always things that could be better.”

He followed that with a longer passage meant to broaden his point and emphasize unity rather than division. That statement continued:

“One of the many things that makes this country so amazing is that we have the right and the freedom to point that 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 cannot wait to represent Team USA next week when I compete.”

Those words read as a careful correction of the tone he struck at a recent news conference, where his language was vaguer and more ambivalent. When asked about “things going on back home,” Hess told reporters:

“It brings up mixed emotions to represent the U.S. right 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.”

He expanded the idea in another on-the-record comment, distinguishing the flag from every political action in the country. His exact words were:

“I think, for me, it’s more I’m representing my friends and family back home, the people that represented it before me, all the things that I believe are good about the U.S. 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.”

That distinction landed poorly for many observers who felt the lines implied a separation between benefitting from national support and embracing the symbol of the nation on a global stage. Critics argued an athlete who earns a spot on Team USA and accepts the associated resources should be careful about signaling detachment from the flag he wears. The reaction from the public and political figures made the issue about judgment as much as rights.

The broader context included mentions of recent enforcement incidents involving ICE, including the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, which some outlets said “apparently” prompted the remarks. Hess never pointed to specific events at the podium, instead using vague language that allowed multiple interpretations. That ambiguity is often a deliberate strategy: say enough to be noticed, then soften the message when pushback arrives.

From a conservative perspective, representing the country at the Olympics is straightforward: you compete, you represent the flag, and you leave activism to other venues. The flag is not an accessory to be picked up when convenient and dropped when it becomes uncomfortable. Many Americans see wearing the national emblem on an international stage as an honor that deserves clear, uncomplicated acknowledgement.

President Trump’s reaction was short and blunt, exactly the kind of response that drives headlines: he called Hess a “real loser” and questioned why someone reluctant to represent the nation would try out for the team in the first place. Whether one approves of Trump’s tone or not, his point echoed a common question: if you decline to fully embrace the symbol you wear while competing, why accept the advantages that come with it? That line of thinking resonated with a lot of people.

Hess’s Instagram walkback is polished and carefully phrased to sound patriotic while affirming his right to criticize, and it stops short of a full retraction. Legally and constitutionally, he has every right to voice his opinions. Politically and culturally, though, public figures who accept national honors should expect scrutiny when they choose to editorialize on a global platform.

Hunter Hess is a first-time Olympian who grew up in Oregon and learned to ski at Mt. Bachelor, and his achievement deserves recognition on its own. He earned the spot through trials and training, benefiting from programs and infrastructure the country maintains. Compete well, but many would say the wiser public posture on foreign soil is to focus on performance and let national critique happen elsewhere.