In times like these, when the world watches our athletes on the Olympic stage, we are reminded of the power of patriotism and the honor of carrying the American flag. That flag, with its stars and stripes, stands not for one political party or opinion, but for the enduring spirit of freedom, sacrifice, and unity that built this great nation. So when an athlete representing the United States says he has “mixed emotions” about doing so, it strikes a nerve deep within the heart of every proud American.
This week, freestyle skier Hunter Hess, competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, made headlines for all the wrong reasons. During a press conference, he said he had “mixed emotions” about wearing the American flag. He claimed it was “a little hard” to represent the United States because of things happening in the country that he didn’t agree with. He even said that just because he wears the flag doesn’t mean he represents everything going on in America.
Let us be clear: no one ever claimed that any one person represents every detail of our nation’s politics. But when you step onto the world stage as a member of Team USA, you are not just skiing for your friends and family. You are representing a nation of over 330 million people. You are representing the legacy of those who gave their lives so that you could speak freely, train freely, and live freely.
President Trump, never one to mince words, called Hess a “real loser” on Truth Social and said what many Americans were already thinking. If Hess doesn’t want to represent the country, then why did he try out for the team? It’s a fair question. There are countless young athletes who would give everything for the honor of wearing red, white, and blue with pride and without apology.
After facing a wave of criticism, including from everyday Americans and even some sponsors, Hess posted a new message online. In it, he said he loves his country and spoke about how America’s freedom allows people to express concerns. He added that the Olympics can bring people together in a time when we are so divided. That may be true, but many Americans are now left wondering if this change of heart was genuine or just damage control.
It’s not un-American to want our country to improve. In fact, that’s part of being a good citizen. But there is a time and a place for everything. When the world is watching, and you are competing on behalf of the United States, that is a time to show strength and gratitude, not doubt and division.
We live in a time when too many of our youth have been taught to question the greatness of America rather than celebrate it. They’ve been taught to focus on our flaws instead of our progress. They’ve been taught that the flag they wear is a burden instead of a blessing. This is the result of years of leftist influence in our schools, universities, and media. But it does not have to be this way.
We as a nation must return to teaching our young people what it means to be an American. We must remind them that our country, for all its imperfections, remains a shining light of freedom in a dark world. We must teach them that representing the United States is not just about athletic skill, but about character, loyalty, and honor.
Hunter Hess may yet redeem himself on the slopes. But the greater challenge lies not in the halfpipe, but in the heart. As Americans, we must lift up those who are proud to carry our flag and call out those who are ashamed of it.
In the end, the Olympics are more than just a competition. They are a chance to show the world who we are. Let us make sure that our athletes are not only strong in body, but strong in spirit—proud to be American, and proud to show it.
