“Woke Team USA Olympians DISRESPECT the Flag – America Strikes Back in Epic Patriotic Rebellion!”
February 12, 2026 Breaking News
A political firestorm has erupted at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, as members of Team USA have become the focal point of a massive cultural clash, drawing fierce criticism for their perceived disrespect toward the American flag. The controversy started when U.S. Olympic skier Hunter Hess made comments about having “mixed emotions” about representing the United States, which immediately ignited outrage across the country. In what is shaping up to be one of the most divisive moments in Olympic history, the fallout has seen Team USA athletes forced into humiliating apologies as their actions spark calls for boycott and leave them at odds with millions of patriotic Americans.
The events of the past 24 hours have shocked the Olympic community and triggered a surge of patriotism across the nation, signaling a dramatic cultural shift that is currently reshaping America’s sports and entertainment landscape.

The Outrageous Comments That Sparked A National Firestorm
The controversy erupted during an interview with Hunter Hess, a member of Team USA’s ski team, who openly admitted to feeling conflicted about representing his country in the midst of what he described as a “divided nation.” Hess’ remarks were seen by many as a direct insult to the very country he was supposed to represent on the world stage.
“I have mixed emotions about representing the United States,” Hess said during an interview with a reporter. “I love my country, but I’m not happy with the way things are going.”
These comments, made while wearing the American flag on his uniform, quickly went viral, sparking an immediate backlash from both the American public and military veterans who have fought to defend the nation. The veteran community responded with fury, with many taking to social media and issuing open letters demanding that Hess be removed from the Olympic team. One Special Operations veteran, who had served nearly two decades in combat, wrote a scathing message: “Kick this narcissistic turd off the ski team immediately. Tear the US flag off his puffy jacket and send this loser back to Bend so he can smoke bowls and badmouth his country to his loser friends instead.”
The backlash didn’t stop there. The comments quickly spread across conservative media, where the phrase “woke Team USA” began trending as a symbol of the athletes’ apparent disregard for the country they were representing. Some even argued that these athletes, like Hess, were using the Olympics as a platform for personal political activism rather than uniting under the American flag.
The Apology – Too Little, Too Late?
After facing intense public pressure, Hess and other athletes, including his fellow skier, Amber Glenn, began to walk back their remarks, issuing a series of public apologies via social media. In a desperate attempt to salvage their reputations, they expressed their “love for America” and clarified that their comments were not meant to disrespect the country but rather to encourage reflection on its flaws.
“I love my country, and I believe in the right to express concern about where we’re headed,” Hess said in his apology post. “But I never meant to disrespect the flag or the people who have sacrificed for our freedom.”
But for many Americans, the damage had already been done. Critics were quick to call out the timing of the apology, with some accusing the athletes of trying to avoid being “canceled” by the very taxpayers who fund their Olympic dreams. The general consensus was that these “woke” athletes had taken the Olympics—one of the last unifying events in America—and turned it into a political battleground. As one commentator put it, “You have the flag on your shoulder. You’re an American. You don’t have to agree with what’s happening, but you also don’t have to talk about it. Shut up and ski.”
A National Rebellion: The Rise of Patriotism
The growing backlash against Team USA has been paralleled by a rising wave of patriotism, which is sweeping across the nation and reshaping American culture. As the public outrage reached a boiling point, many Americans have turned their attention to alternative forms of entertainment, rejecting what they see as a globalist, “woke” agenda pushed by major sports organizations like the NFL.
During the Super Bowl, as millions tuned in to watch the halftime show featuring Bad Bunny—performed almost entirely in Spanish—many American families turned off their TVs and chose to watch something else. The NFL’s attempt to cater to a global audience backfired, as the predominantly American fanbase felt alienated by the performance, which many felt was out of touch with their values.
The mass exodus from the NFL’s broadcast has proven to be a seismic event, with alternative broadcasts like Turning Point USA’s “All-American” halftime show garnering millions of views. The TPUSA stream not only rivaled the NFL’s broadcast but, according to some estimates, may have even surpassed it in reach. This shift in viewership is a clear indicator that Americans are rejecting “woke” entertainment and instead embracing more traditional, patriotic values.
This cultural revolution is also spilling over into the political sphere. In a speech that sent shockwaves through the nation, the Secretary of War delivered a stirring address on the importance of traditional military values and the need to distance the armed forces from political correctness. The speech, which was met with a standing ovation, emphasized the importance of defending the Constitution and restoring “True American Patriotism.” This, coupled with decisive military action that saw U.S. forces seizing a Venezuelan oil tanker bound for Russia, has further emboldened the patriotic surge sweeping the nation.
Team USA’s Apologies Fall Short: Will They Change?
As the Olympic Games continue, Team USA finds itself at a crossroads. The athletes who sparked this controversy now face a harsh reality: the American public is no longer willing to tolerate the use of sports as a platform for political activism. The message from the American people is clear—if you represent the Red, White, and Blue, you better respect the flag, and you better keep your personal politics in check.
The question now remains: Can Team USA adapt to this new cultural landscape? Will athletes like Hunter Hess and Amber Glenn continue to skate by with apologies, or will they be forced to reckon with the consequences of their actions? The national response to their remarks suggests that their “woke” worldview may no longer have a place in the traditional sports arena.
In the wake of this controversy, Team USA faces the daunting task of rebuilding its image and reconnecting with the patriotic heart of America. For the millions of Americans who feel betrayed by their own Olympic team, the healing process will take time. Whether or not Team USA can recover and restore the honor of the flag remains to be seen.
The NFL’s Loss and the Growing Strength of the Patriotic Movement
The NFL’s viewership drop is a wake-up call that cannot be ignored. As the mainstream sports world continues to veer toward globalism and political correctness, more and more Americans are turning to alternatives that align with their values. The rise of patriotic movements like Turning Point USA is not just a political shift—it’s a cultural revolution.
For Team USA and the NFL, the lesson is clear: the American people are tired of the lectures, the division, and the disrespect. The cultural pendulum is swinging back toward God, country, and family, and the “woke” era is quickly coming to an end.
As the Games continue and the country moves toward the next Olympic cycle, one thing is certain: the patriotic surge shows no signs of slowing down. Whether Team USA and the NFL can adapt to this new reality or be left behind by the cultural tide remains to be seen. For now, America is sending a loud and clear message: respect the flag, or be left behind.