Overview
- Trump posted on Truth Social Sunday that Hess is a "real loser" and questioned his place on Team USA.
- Hess said last week he has "mixed emotions" about representing the United States and that wearing the flag does not signal support for all national policies.
- The USOPC said its focus is on Hess's protection and that support resources are in place for him during competition.
- Officials noted an uptick in abusive messages toward athletes in recent Games and said they remove content when possible and escalate credible threats to law enforcement.
- Teammates referenced U.S. political tensions linked to ICE presence and protests after agents fatally shot two people in Minneapolis, while conservative commentators also criticized Hess online.