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American athletes standing in Milan have openly admitted they feel “mixed emotions” about wearing the red, white and blue at the 2026 Winter Olympics, telling reporters they struggle to fully embrace the country they were sent to represent. This was not a nuanced policy debate — it was a public airing of grievance on the world stage at a time when unity should be the point of the Games.
Freestyle skier Hunter Hess put it plainly: representing the United States “brings up mixed emotions,” and, he said, “just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.” Those words landed like a slap to every American who has ever sacrificed for the flag and expected athletes to at least show respect for the nation that funds and elevates them.
Teammate Chris Lillis went further, saying he was “heartbroken” over events back home and explicitly referencing the ICE controversy that’s been dominating headlines. When athletes start lecturing the world about how broken America is while standing under its banner, they cross a line from personal conscience into public disrespect.
Predictably, veterans and everyday Americans exploded online — and even the president weighed in, calling Hess “a real loser” for his ambivalence and arguing that someone who can’t stand behind the country shouldn’t be on the team. The backlash isn’t manufactured outrage; it’s the rightful anger of citizens who see patriotism as the baseline for representing the United States abroad, not an optional preference.
Under pressure, Hess tried to walk back his tone and affirmed that he “loves his country,” saying he looks forward to representing Team USA — but the damage is done. A hastily posted sentiment on social media can’t erase the optics of athletes using a global stage to signal their discontent, and Americans are right to ask why such messaging was chosen in the first place.
This isn’t about silencing dissent; it’s about honoring context. The Olympic Games are meant to be a rare moment when national pride, excellence and teamwork rise above partisan grievances. If you’re going to wear the flag into battle against the rest of the world, do it with pride — or stay home and voice your critiques in a forum that doesn’t make the country look weak.
Patriots don’t demand perfect governments, but they do demand basic respect for the institutions and symbols that bind us together. Americans who bust their tails to support their communities and serve in the armed forces deserve athletes who represent the nation with gratitude and resolve, not with public bellyaching when cameras are rolling.
If Team USA’s leadership values winning on medals and respect off them, they should make it clear that political grandstanding isn’t part of the uniform. Hardworking Americans will continue to cheer on competitors who put country first, and they’ll remember which athletes stood tall for the flag when it mattered most.
