Pride and unease: US Winter Olympians navigate politics, patriotism and Trump attacks
Bryan Armen Graham in Milan Tue, 10 February 2026 at 10:00 am UTC·7 min read Some US athletes at the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina are speaking more openly than at any point since Donald Trump returned to the White House, describing a complicated mix of pride and discomfort about representing the country while political tensions at home and abroad spill into the Games. The comments – and the fierce reaction they have triggered from political figures, online influencers and the president himself – have exposed a widening gap between how some athletes view their Olympic role and how parts of the political establishment believe they should use it.Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement...