Overview
- Vice President JD Vance said Olympians are “there to play a sport” and “not there to pop off about politics,” urging competitors to focus on representing the country.
- When athletes “enter the political arena,” Vance said, “they should expect some pushback,” while adding that most are doing “a great job.”
- Several Team USA athletes, including Hunter Hess, Chris Lillis, and Chloe Kim, voiced concerns about the political climate in the United States.
- President Donald Trump’s Truth Social account called Hess “a real loser” after the skier said he had mixed emotions about representing the U.S.
- Vance was reported to have been booed during the opening ceremony; a Canadian broadcast captured the reaction as NBC addressed viewer questions about its audio presentation.