A “Woke” Skier Trashed the USA on a Global Winter Sports Stage—Then Claimed to Love America Only After the Backlash Became Unbearable
The Winter Olympics have barely started, and already we’re witnessing a disastrous meltdown of patriotism and loyalty from Team USA athletes. And no one is drawing more criticism than a Team USA skier who used their moment on the world stage not to represent the United States, but to attack it. The result? Outrage from the public, a massive backlash, and a flip-flop response from the athlete once the consequences hit their wallet and career prospects. This isn’t about criticism; this is about disdain—and the American public wasn’t having it.
What we witnessed wasn’t bravery or moral clarity; it was hypocrisy—plain and simple.
1. The Skier’s Disdain for America: A Public Betrayal
It started innocently enough: a skier from Team USA took to the global stage at the Winter Olympics to represent their country. But instead of proudly wearing the American colors, they used their moment in the spotlight to publicly bash the very country that gave them the opportunity to compete.
Hunter Hess, a snowboarder, stated in an interview that he was not proud to wear the USA jersey, revealing that he was only competing for his family and friends—not his country. He said, “Just ‘cause we’re wearing the flag doesn’t mean we are representing everything that’s going on in the US.”
The message was clear: America is flawed, and Hess wanted no part of representing a nation he claimed was “morally bankrupt.” He went on to make it clear that he was only in the competition for his close circle—not for America. This wasn’t a nuanced policy critique; this was a broad attack on his own country.
And the backlash? It was swift, furious, and deafening.
2. The Public’s Fury: A Nation Reacts
Americans were furious. Viewers across the nation were left stunned as a U.S. athlete, trained in American facilities, funded by American institutions, and supported by American fans, stood on one of the world’s biggest stages and delivered a scathing condemnation of the very country that helped build his career.
Social media exploded. Fans accused Hess of being ungrateful and hypocritical. One commentator summed it up perfectly: “If you don’t want to represent America, don’t put on the USA jersey.” This was a direct insult to the nation that gave Hess the platform to compete on the world’s biggest sporting stage.
For Americans who’ve been supporting athletes for generations, it was a gut punch. How could an athlete, who benefited from American resources, openly criticize and reject the nation they were so fortunate to represent? The comments weren’t just offensive—they were disrespectful. The backlash was personal.
3. The Hypocrisy Revealed: “Love America” When It’s Convenient
Here’s where the story takes a shocking turn. After public outrage reached a boiling point, something remarkable happened: Hunter Hess’s rhetoric changed overnight. Once his remarks became a career liability, suddenly America was worthy of his love again.
In a series of post-backlash interviews, Hess quickly pivoted, praising America and expressing how grateful he was to represent the country. But there was no apology, no reflection, and certainly no admission that his earlier remarks were wrong. Instead, the rhetoric changed only when the financial consequences of his actions became too much to bear.
This flip-flop was as clear as day: when Hess was reaping the rewards of his platform, America wasn’t so bad. But when the backlash hit and his sponsorships started to waver, suddenly America was worth defending.
4. The Woke Culture Backlash: Performative Activism Exposed
What we’re witnessing is not moral courage; it’s performative activism at its finest. In today’s world, virtue signaling has become a branding tool—something that activist celebrities use to gain attention, build followings, and attract media coverage. But as soon as that performative activism begins to cost them something—**sponsorships, brand deals, or career prospects—they retreat.
The NFL and other mainstream organizations have made it clear that wokeness and activism are being used as marketing tools—but when those tools no longer work, they fold.
Hess’s flip-flop is just the latest example of ideological convenience. If these athletes truly believed in their political statements, they wouldn’t abandon them the second it hurts their pocketbook. But that’s the heart of the problem. For athletes like Hess, their activism is only authentic when it suits them. When the backlash hits, they suddenly discover their patriotism—but it’s too late. The public sees right through it.
5. The Real Issue: Hypocrisy and National Representation
At the core of this controversy is the issue of national representation. Hunter Hess, along with other athletes who think like him, seems to forget one crucial point: when you represent the United States, you are not just speaking for yourself. You are speaking for the entire nation. You are carrying the weight of that flag with you everywhere you go.
The backlash against Hess wasn’t about policy disagreement—it was about representational integrity. If you don’t want to represent your country, then don’t wear its jersey. The Olympic stage is not the place for athletes to air their personal grievances about America’s flaws. It’s a place for them to show pride in the opportunity that this country has given them. America didn’t force Hess to compete—it was his choice.
But that choice came with a responsibility to the nation he was representing. And when he turned his back on that responsibility, the public rejected him. (nytimes.com)
6. What This Means for Future Olympics: Will Americans Stand for This?
The Winter Olympics have become a microcosm of America’s culture war. From woke athletes to the political performances they’re pushing, it’s clear that elite culture is out of touch with the average American. As more athletes use their platforms to attack the nation they represent, the public is starting to push back.
Will Americans continue to watch these athletes tear down their country, or will they turn away? The rise of alternative programming, like Turning Point USA’s halftime show, is showing that there is a growing appetite for content that celebrates patriotism, freedom, and traditional American values.
As viewership of woke programming declines, the question is: how much longer will the Olympic and sports industries continue to ignore the massive cultural shift occurring in America?
7. Conclusion: America First—And Always
The Winter Olympics have revealed a growing cultural rift in America. Hunter Hess’s comments weren’t just a political statement—they were a betrayal of the country that helped him get to the top. And when the public rejected that betrayal, he quickly backpedaled, showing just how shallow and convenient his earlier rhetoric really was.
True patriotism is not performative—it’s not about what’s convenient when you’re on a global stage; it’s about standing by your country’s values, whether it’s popular or not. The backlash against Hess and other woke athletes is proof that Americans are tired of being lectured by elites who don’t represent their values. The time has come for the Olympics and sports to return to what they used to be about: uniting Americans, not dividing them.
If athletes like Hunter Hess don’t want to represent America, maybe it’s time they step aside and let those who truly believe in the country take their place. America doesn’t need performative patriots—it needs real ones.
