US Olympian With Immigrant Parents Responds After Trump Calls Teammate a “Loser”

Chloe Kim, a two time snowboard halfpipe champion, stepped into a small storm on Monday and aimed for calm. She was asked about President Donald Trump calling her teammate a loser. “We need to lead with love and compassion, and I’d love to see more of that,” she said plainly.

Kim made it personal. Her parents came to the United States in 1982, and she said the insult hit close to home. “Obviously, my parents being immigrants, this one hits pretty close to home,” she said. “I’m really proud to represent the United States. The U.S. has given my family so much opportunity, but I also think we are allowed to voice our opinions on what’s going on.”

The row began when freestyle skier Hunter Hess spoke about mixed feelings on representing his country. “There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of and think a lot of people aren’t,” he said. “Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.”

Hess added that he competes for the parts of the country he loves, not as a blank check for every policy. “If it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I’m representing it. But just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean that I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.”

That brought a public response from the president. He posted on Truth Social and did not use a soft voice. “U.S. Olympic Skier, Hunter Hess, a real Loser, says he doesn’t represent his Country in the current Winter Olympics,” he wrote. “If that’s the case, he shouldn’t have tried out for the Team, and it’s too bad he’s on it. Very hard to root for someone like this. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

The exchange turned a routine team moment into national news. Team USA athletes found themselves speaking about more than scores and medals. Some people praised Hess for honesty. Others rushed to anger. The online replies ranged from supportive to ugly.

Kim did not throw insults back. She focused on people and on feeling proud while speaking up. “We need to lead with love and compassion” was her chosen answer. She added that she wants more kindness and fewer name calls.

The games have always mixed sport and meaning. Now they mix sport with loud politics. Athletes say they will still try to win. They also want to be allowed to speak without being shouted down. That simple point keeps coming up in interviews and posts.

Kim is chasing something historic at these Games. She is 25 and trying to win a third straight gold in the halfpipe, a feat no snowboarder has done before. She is clearly focused on sport and on standing by people she cares about at the same time.

Featured image courtesy of AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson