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Eileen Gu Faces Backlash After Decrying Trump-Hess Headlines at Olympics

Critics cite her Team China allegiance alongside lucrative endorsements as undermining her standing to weigh in on U.S. politics.

Overview

  • Eileen Gu told reporters that headlines about President Trump and U.S. skier Hunter Hess run contrary to the spirit of the Olympics and are eclipsing the Games.
  • Gu was born and raised in San Francisco and has represented China in international competition since 2019.
  • Social-media critics, including Enes Kanter Freedom, accused Gu of disloyalty and hypocrisy for commenting on U.S. politics while remaining silent on alleged Chinese human-rights abuses.
  • Fox News reported Gu earned an estimated $23 million in 2025 through endorsements with Chinese and Western brands, including Bank of China.
  • The controversy followed Hess saying he had mixed emotions about representing the U.S., after which President Trump called him a 'real loser' on social media.