Overview
- Hunter Hess, 27, advanced to the Olympic halfpipe final in Livigno after qualifying fifth in his debut Games.
- After his opening run, he held an “L” to his forehead and said, “Apparently I’m a loser,” a pointed response to Trump’s remark.
- Before the Games, Hess had said he felt mixed about representing the U.S., noting that wearing the flag does not mean endorsing everything happening in the country.
- Hess said the public criticism weighed on him yet also fueled his preparation, and he reiterated, “I love the United States of America,” adding he is proud to represent Team USA.
- Trump wrote that Hess does not represent the United States, called it hard to cheer for him, and suggested he should not have sought a place on the U.S. team.