Olympic BETRAYAL: Gold Medalist Trashes America

Olympic flag waving against clear blue sky.

Team USA freestyle skiers publicly expressed “heartbreak” over representing America at the 2026 Winter Olympics, citing concerns about ICE enforcement operations—a stunning display of political dissent on the world stage that undermines national unity while our athletes compete under the American flag.

Story Snapshot

Gold medalist Chris Lillis and Olympic debutant Hunter Hess voiced “mixed emotions” about wearing Team USA uniforms due to recent ICE operations
Athletes criticized ICE enforcement at a February 6 press conference in Italy, days before the Milano-Cortina Opening Ceremony attended by VP JD Vance
Former U.S. skier Gus Kenworthy, now competing for Great Britain, posted an obscene anti-ICE message calling for defunding the agency
The controversy erupted amid protests in Milan over ICE presence in the U.S. Olympic delegation, forcing venue changes for American teams

Athletes Voice Political Concerns on International Platform

Chris Lillis, who won gold for the United States in 2022, told reporters at a pre-Olympics press conference that he loves America but feels heartbroken over recent ICE operations. Hunter Hess, making his Olympic debut, admitted to “mixed emotions” about representing the nation, stating he competes for friends and family rather than endorsing all government policies. The skiers referenced Minneapolis incidents from January 2026 and emphasized their desire to show America as a country that respects everyone’s rights, despite their criticisms of federal immigration enforcement activities.

ICE Operations Spark Nationwide Debate

The athletes’ statements came amid heightened tensions over Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities. Reports indicate eight deaths linked to ICE actions or custody by late January 2026, fueling nationwide protests that reached Minneapolis with fatal shootings involving ICE operations. This enforcement represents exactly the kind of border security conservatives have demanded for years—protecting American citizens by removing illegal immigrants who have violated our laws. Yet these athletes chose the Olympic stage to criticize lawful enforcement that previous administrations neglected, leaving communities vulnerable to criminal illegal aliens.

Former American Olympian Joins Criticism

Gus Kenworthy, who won silver for Team USA at the 2014 Sochi Olympics before switching to represent Great Britain, posted an Instagram image showing an obscene anti-ICE message written in snow. Kenworthy called the agency’s actions “murders” committed through “unchecked power” and urged defunding ICE entirely. The International Olympic Committee declined to censure Kenworthy under current athlete expression guidelines, which permit personal social media commentary. His inflammatory rhetoric ignores the dangerous work ICE agents perform daily to enforce immigration laws that Congress passed—laws designed to protect American sovereignty and citizen safety from illegal border crossings.

Political Tensions Overshadow Olympic Competition

The controversy unfolded as Vice President JD Vance and Secretary Marco Rubio prepared to attend the February 7 Opening Ceremony at Milan’s San Siro stadium. Local Italian protests over ICE agents within the U.S. delegation forced venue renamings for American hockey, figure skating, and speedskating spaces. Team USA’s press officer emphasized treating citizens with “love and respect,” while athletes clarified their uniforms represent the “good about America” rather than endorsing all policies. The timing raises serious questions about whether athletes should use their Olympic platform to undermine their own country’s law enforcement while officials representing the Trump administration attend ceremonies meant to celebrate international unity and competition.

Olympic Skier Says Representing The US ‘Brings Up Mixed Emotions’ Amid ICE Raids | Videohttps://t.co/aH04y3dY5Y

— TheWrap (@TheWrap) February 6, 2026

This incident sets a troubling precedent for athlete activism targeting domestic policy at international sporting events. While the skiers claim to love America, publicly expressing “heartbreak” over lawful immigration enforcement sends mixed messages to the world about American resolve. ICE agents risk their lives removing dangerous criminals and enforcing borders—the very definition of protecting citizens’ rights that these athletes claim to champion. The real heartbreak should be athletes who enjoy the privileges of representing the greatest nation on earth while undermining the brave men and women who keep Americans safe from illegal immigration’s consequences.