Ski Community Rallies Behind Hunter Hess Following Trump's Comments

Team USA Olympic freestyle skier Hunter Hess made international headlines this past weekend, but it wasn't for a performance on the snow.

Hess, in answering questions during a media session on Friday, February 6, 2026, said that, "it brings up mixed emotions representing the US," at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.

Hess didn't mention any specific reasons, but said, "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 like I'm representing my friends and family back home... Just because I wear the flag doesn't mean I represent everything that's going on in the U.S."

Tap or click below to watch Hess's comments in their entirety. Keep reading for more on this story.

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The comments, which were fairly neutral in light of the intense political and violent discourse unraveling across America at the hands of ICE, triggered the MAGA base and garnered the attention of the President of the United States himself.

Trump, or somebody from his ruthless staff of agitators, took to Truth Social and called out Hunter Hess for his comments: "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."

Trump's disgusting Truth Social post was picked up by nearly every news agency worldwide. Hunter Hess, the core-lord freeskier who makes movies for skiing's most passionate fans, was suddenly thrust into the international spotlight.

Hess disabled comments across his social media pages, most likely due to the intense vitriol and hate levied against him by MAGA cronies, but posted a message of gratitude today, February 9, for his supporters.

"I love my country," Hess says in the post. "There is so much that is great about America, but there are always things that could be better. One of the many things that makes this country so amazing is that we have the right and the freedom to point that out."

See below. Keep reading for the reactions from across the world of skiing and beyond.

Hess's post, which still has comments enabled at the time this article was published, has been flooded with words of support and love from across the ski community.

"We love you back!" writes freeskiing pioneer and icon Michelle Parker.

Mountain Gazette owner and former POWDER editor Mike Rogger chimed in: "Ski community is clearly and firmly behind you, dude."

Scott Gaffney, of G.N.A.R. fame, offered perhaps the biggest compliment ever bestowed on a skier: "You’re the man and the whole world has your back now more than ever. Btw, you inadvertently created a new GNAR extra points category: TRT: Trump Rage Tweet. 1,000,001 points. Even beats an Altoid Gnome Hummer. You win. Now go crush it!"

Fellow freeskier Gus Kenworthy, who recently spoke out against ICE, also offered his support for Hess: "Love you and proud of you, Hunt!"

Despite Trump's best efforts, it appears many Americans, especially skiers, are rallying even harder for Hess. Go figure.

POWDER supports Hunter Hess. Point blank.

Hess is expected to compete in the Men's Ski Halfpipe final on February 20. We'll be cheering with support.