LIVIGNO, Italy – Hunter Hess, the American freeskier targeted by former President Donald Trump following comments about representing the United States during a period of heightened immigration enforcement, qualified for the final of the men’s halfpipe competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina on Friday. Hess responded to Trump’s criticism with a defiant gesture after a successful qualifying run, flashing an “L” sign over his forehead – a clear reference to the former president’s label of him as a “loser.”
The controversy began when Hess, during a pre-Games news conference, expressed mixed emotions about representing the U.S., stating, “Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.” He added that he wanted to compete “for my friends and my family and the people that supported me getting here.” Trump quickly responded on his social media platform, Truth Social, calling Hess “a real Loser” and questioning whether it was “too bad” he was on the Olympic team. [1]
Hess, 27, appeared to use the criticism as motivation. He secured his spot in the 12-man final with a qualifying score of 85.00 on his second run, improving upon his first attempt. The final is scheduled for Friday evening at the Livigno Snow Park. [4]
“I worked so hard to be here. I sacrificed my entire life to make this happen,” Hess said to the Associated Press after his qualifying run. “I’m not going to let controversy like that obtain in my way. I love the United States of America. Say that enough. My original statement, I felt like I said that, but apparently, people didn’t take it that way.” [4]
The gesture by Hess – forming an “L” with his thumb and forefinger and holding it to his forehead – was a direct response to Trump’s repeated use of the “loser” label. It quickly became a talking point, highlighting the intersection of politics and sports at the international stage. [1, 4]
Hess isn’t a newcomer to success. He’s a double medalist at the X Games, earning bronze medals, and has multiple medals from World Cup competitions. His qualification for the Olympic final represents a significant achievement in a career dedicated to freeskiing. [2]
The qualifying round saw four Americans advance to the final, giving the U.S. Team a strong chance to secure its first gold medal in skiing or snowboarding at these Games. The Livigno Snow Park has been praised for its challenging halfpipe course, which has tested the skills of the world’s best freeskier. [1]
The situation underscores a growing trend of athletes speaking out on social and political issues, sometimes facing backlash from political figures. Hess’s case is particularly notable given the visibility of the Olympic Games and the directness of the response from a former president. [2]
The men’s freeski halfpipe final is set to begin at 19:30 local time (Central European Time) on Friday, February 20th. That translates to 11:30 AM Eastern Time and 8:30 AM Pacific Time for viewers in the United States. [4]
Hess will be looking to contend for a medal against a field of highly skilled competitors. He has consistently demonstrated the ability to land difficult tricks, and his qualifying performance suggests he is in top form. Whether he can overcome the distractions and deliver a medal-winning performance remains to be seen. [4]
The controversy surrounding Hess and Trump is likely to continue to generate discussion throughout the remainder of the Games. It serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between athletes, politics, and national identity in the modern era. [1, 2]
Following the final, attention will turn to the remaining events in the freeskiing and snowboarding program at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The U.S. Team will be hoping to build on its success in the halfpipe and add to its medal count. [1]
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