Hunter Hess has recently said that he has mixed or conflicted feelings about representing the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics, which has triggered a big political and media backlash.

Quick Scoop: What did Hunter Hess say about America?

Here’s the core of what Hunter Hess reportedly expressed about America and representing Team USA:

  • He said he has “mixed emotions” about representing the United States right now.
  • He described it as “a little hard” to wear Team USA gear because there is “a lot going on” in the U.S. that he’s “not the biggest fan of.”
  • He emphasized that he feels he is representing:
    • his friends and family back home,
    • the people who represented the U.S. before him,
    • and the parts of the U.S. he believes are good and align with his values.
  • He said that just because he is wearing the American flag, it doesn’t mean he represents everything that is happening in the United States.

One paraphrased version of his stance is essentially: he’s competing more for his supporters, friends, and family than for the entire country as it is currently governed or policed.

“Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.”

Why he said it (context about America)

Reports link his comments partly to concerns about what’s happening in the U.S., including criticism of immigration enforcement and domestic issues under the current administration.

  • He reportedly referenced problems with ICE and broader worries about how America is being run right now.
  • The tone of his remarks suggests moral discomfort: he wants his representation to match his personal values, not every government action.

In other words, he’s trying to separate pride in certain American ideals and communities from endorsement of current political realities.

How others reacted (backlash and debate)

The comments quickly turned into a political flashpoint.

  • Some conservative and nationalist-leaning outlets framed his remarks as “anti-American” or “disgraceful,” accusing him of disrespecting the flag while benefiting from representing Team USA.
  • MMA fighter Sean Strickland went on an explicit tirade, telling Hess to “get out of this country” and using homophobic and insulting language toward him.
  • President Donald Trump reportedly attacked Hess publicly, calling him a “loser” and rebuking him for not fully embracing American representation at the Olympics.
  • A “Miracle on Ice” legend, Mike Eruzione, criticized Hess and suggested that if he only wants to represent family and friends, he shouldn’t wear “USA” on his uniform.

At the same time:

  • Some athletes and commentators noted that Hess is not alone—others have voiced heartbreak or discomfort about conditions in the U.S. while still competing for the country.
  • This has fueled a broader debate about patriotism, protest, and what it means to represent a country you’re also criticizing.

Mini viewpoints: How people are framing it

Different camps are reading the same quote very differently:

  1. “Ungrateful / anti-American” view
    • Argues that if you wear the flag and compete for Team USA, you should fully embrace the country and not publicly distance yourself.
    • See Hess as disrespecting the flag, veterans, and taxpayers.
  1. “Critical patriot” view
    • Sees his comments as patriotic dissent: loving the ideals of America (community, rights, fairness) while criticizing current policies.
    • Emphasizes that athletes have the right to speak about injustice while still competing for their nation.
  1. “Keep politics out of sports” view
    • Thinks both Hess and his loudest critics are dragging politics into a space that should be about competition and unity.
    • Argues that constant political fights around athletes’ comments are bad for the Olympic spirit.

Forum-style snapshot of the discussion

“If he hates America so much, give the spot to someone proud to wear the flag.”

“He literally said he loves parts of America and is doing this for his family and the good in the U.S.—that’s not ‘hating America.’”

“Athletes aren’t robots. If they’re troubled by what’s happening at home, why shouldn’t they say it?”

This mix of outrage, defense, and broader political debate is why “what did Hunter Hess say about America” has become a trending forum and news topic in early 2026.

TL;DR:
Hunter Hess didn’t say he hates America, but he did say he has mixed emotions about representing the U.S., that it’s hard to wear the flag given current events, and that he primarily feels he’s representing his friends, family, and the parts of America that align with his values—“just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.”

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.