"He's a real loser": Trump doesn't take kindly to criticism from US Olympic athletes

BarcelonaThe Trump administration is watching with some unease how many Olympic athletes have lost their fear. At the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezo, many American Olympians criticized Trump's policies, especially those related to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the dreaded ICE. The most outspoken was Gus Kenworthy, a skier who won a silver medal in freestyle skiing at the 2014 Games. The 34-year-old skier posted a photo on social media showing his feet and a message written in the snow that could be interpreted as having been written with his urine. It read,Fuck ICE"It must be said that Kenworthy, a very popular figure because he is also an actor in action films and YouTuberHe decided in 2022 to stop competing as an American and do so as a British, although he was born in England, the son of an American father and a British mother, but by the age of three he was already living in Colorado.

Kenworthy has spoken out several times against the violence perpetrated by ICE agents, who have murdered two civilians in Minnesota, Renée Good and Alex Pretti. In fact, the presence of ICE agents in Milan During the Games, it has sparked protests and complaints in both Italy and the United States. "Innocent people have been killed. Enough is enough. We cannot stand idly by while ICE continues to operate with unchecked power in our communities. Senators still have influence, at this moment," said Kenworthy, who has been criticized on social media by Trump supporters.

The president strikes back

Trump did not react to Kenworthy's gesture, but he did speak out against other athletes because he disliked the criticism received by American Olympians wearing their country's flag. In the first days of competition, at a press conference for freestyle skiers, Hunter Hess was among the most critical: "I don't represent everything that's going on in the United States. It gives me mixed emotions to represent my country right now," he said. On his social media account, Truth Social, Trump wrote: "Hunter Hess is a real loser, he does not represent his country at the current Winter Olympics." Immediately, Hess began receiving insults and threats on social media from Trump supporters. The skier decided to respond by making a post On social media: "There are many good things about America, but there are always things that could be better. One of the many things that make this country so amazing is that we have the right and freedom to say what we think. The best thing about the Olympics is that they bring people together, and when so many of us are divided, we need that more than ever."

Hess, however, was not alone, and his teammates expressed similar sentiments: "As athletes, we are proud to represent our country. I love the United States and wouldn't want to represent any other country at the Games. Sometimes athletes find it difficult to talk about politics and what we see because of our presence, but I feel things, I feel with things, I feel things, I feel with things, I feel with things, I feel with things, I feel with things, I feel things, I feel things. ICE in the streets. We must focus on respecting everyone's rights and treating all citizens with love and respect."

For her part, the great American snowboard star, Chloe Kim, called for more "love and compassion" after Trump's attack. "I think in times like these it's very important that we come together and stand up for each other, because of everything that's going on, and I'm very proud to represent the United States." Also, the most decorated female skier of all time, Mikaela Shiffrin wanted to share her perspective, and in a press conference, she quoted Nelson Mandela, a quote previously used by Oscar-winning South African actress Charlize Theron: "Peace is not merely the absence of conflict. Peace is not merely the absence of race, color, creed, religion, gender, class, caste, or any other social marker of difference." She added, "For me, this is about the Olympic Games. I really hope I can represent my own values. Values ​​of inclusion, values ​​of diversity, and kindness." These were carefully chosen words, as just days earlier, Trump had claimed that "diversity" is a form of perversion. Although Shiffrin is the woman with the most World Cup victories in history and a true icon of American sport, when she failed to win a medal, she faced attacks and ridicule from Trump supporters on social media.

The person who has received the most threats, and in some cases even death threats, has been American figure skater Amber Glenn – who won Olympic gold in the team event on Sunday – who stated that "this administration's handling of the situation makes this a difficult time for the community queer"Glenn, who identifies as bisexual, has spoken out in favor of sexual freedom, which has led to him receiving a lot of criticism. Figure skating is a sport in which many athletes have spoken out against the Trump administration, and in fact, some American fans could be seen in the stands of the Milan arena with terrible bread. We'll sort it out ourselves."

JD Vance, booed

US Vice President JD Vance, who presided over the opening ceremony at Milan's San Siro stadium and was booed by spectators, also responded to critical athletes. "You're not here to make me talk about politics. When an Olympic athlete talks about politics, you have to expect a response." Some opposition politicians, like Democrat Chris Coons, expressed surprise at seeing "a president criticizing his athletes during the Games": "I've never seen anything like it," he said. In 2021, the International Olympic Committee prohibited medalists from making political gestures on the podium, but athletes can express their opinions in press conferences and on social media. In the United States, many athletes have used the Games to voice their opinions, as happened in 1968 with athletes John Carlos and Tommy Smith on the podium of the 200-meter race at the Summer Games in Mexico. It's worth remembering that the next Summer Games are to be held in 2028 in Los Angeles, still with Trump in the White House.