02/09/26 11:41:00
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02/09 11:39 CST US snowboard star Chloe Kim calls for unity after Trump bashes
teammate over immigrant crackdown
US snowboard star Chloe Kim calls for unity after Trump bashes teammate over
immigrant crackdown
LIVIGNO, Italy (AP) --- Chloe Kim and Eileen Gu, two Olympic standouts who have
faced their share of hate over the years, each weighed in Monday on Donald
Trump's bashing of their friend, American freeskier Hunter Hess, for having
said he didn't back the U.S. president's heightened crackdown on immigrants.
"I think in moments like these, it is really important for us to unite and kind
of stand up for one another for all that's going on," said Kim, the two-time
Olympic gold medalist whose parents are South Korean immigrants and who has
faced racism throughout her career for her Asian heritage.
Gu, the American-born freeskier who competes for China, said after her
silver-medal win in slopestyle that she had been in touch with Hess, who told
her she was one of the few people who could relate to what he's going through.
"As someone who's been caught in the crossfire before, I feel sorry for the
athletes," said Gu, who was born in San Francisco and whose decision to compete
for China turned her into a lightning rod.
Hess drew Trump's ire when he was asked by reporters to give his views on the
immigration crackdown that has claimed the lives of two protestors in Minnesota
and disrupted thousands of lives of immigrants and U.S. citizens. Hess
answered: "Just because I'm wearing the flag doesn't mean I represent
everything that's going on in the U.S."
The next day, Trump lashed out at Hess on his Truth Social account, calling him
"a real Loser" and saying he would be hard pressed to root for him at the
Games. Hess's friends --- snowboarders and freeskiers competing this week in
Livigno --- were asked for their reaction.
"My parents being immigrants from Korea, this one definitely hits pretty close
to home," said Kim, who begins defense of her title Wednesday.
"I'm really proud to represent the United States," she said. "The U.S. has
given my family and I so much opportunity, but I also think that we are allowed
to voice our opinions of what's going that we need to lead with love and
compassion."
Other American snowboarders spoke out for diversity and the right of expression.
"I think there are a lot of different opinions in the U.S. right now. Obviously
we're very divided," snowboarder Bea Kim said. "I personally am very proud to
represent the United States. That being said, I think diversity is what makes
us a very strong country and what makes that so special."
Teammate Maddie Mastro added: "I'm also saddened with what's happening at home."
"It's really tough and I feel like we can't turn a blind eye to that. But at
the same time, I represent a country that has the same values as mine of
kindness and compassion. And we come together in times of injustice," Mastro
said.
Gu called it "an unwinnable press war" for Hess and lamented the fact that the
controversy could be a distraction for the athletes, and overshadow the beauty
of the biggest event in winter sports.
"I'm sorry that the headline that is eclipsing the Olympics has to be something
so ... unrelated to the spirit of the Games," she said. "It really runs
contrary to everything that the Olympics should be."
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AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics
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