Team USA skiers Chris Lillis and Hunter Hess have been accused of ‘insulting’ America on the world stage after claiming they are conflicted about representing their country at the Winter Olympics.
As the Milan-Cortina Games kicked off on Friday, both Lillis and Hess made headlines by speaking out against immigration enforcement operations back home in the US.
Aerials specialist Lillis, who said he was ‘heartbroken’ by the actions of Donald Trump’s ICE agents, argued that America must ‘focus on respecting everybody’s rights and making sure we’re treating our citizens as well as anybody with love and respect.’
Hess, meanwhile, admitted he has mixed emotions about competing for USA amid the tumultuous political climate, saying: ‘It’s a little hard. There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t.
‘Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the US.’
The pair’s critical remarks have left a number of Americans seething, with several fans urging Team USA to send them home after their ‘anti-American’ rant.
USA skiers Hunter Hess (left) and Chris Lillis (right) have been accused of ‘insulting’ America
The pair said they are conflicted about representing the country amid ICE operations in the US
‘You shouldn’t be representing the U.S.A. if you hate it here,’ said one user on X. ‘So tired of this Anti-American rhetoric.’
Another posted: ‘Chris Lillis and Hunter Hess should be sent back home immediately. They have insulted our entire nation on the world stage and should no longer be allowed to represent us.’
‘I won’t watch the Olympics anymore or support @TeamUSA if they can’t just be athletes and proudly represent their country on the world stage without opining their own stances on political issues that have no place in sports. This is beyond disgusting and embarrassing,’ fumed a third.
‘I’d say, “you’re off the team. Pack up and get your a** home.” No ifs, ands, or buts,’ a fourth wrote.
While another put: ‘The anti-ICE, liberal athletes are already insufferable at the Olympics. If you’re not proud to represent the red, white, & blue, stay home.’
Team USA will be competing at the Milan-Cortina Olympics while protests against ICE continue to ramp up both back home and abroad.
Days before the curtain-raiser, protestors swept through the streets of Milan to demonstrate against the deployment of ICE agents at the Olympics, just weeks after two US citizens were fatally shot by officers.
To make matters worse, Team USA and United States Vice President JD Vance were also jeered by furious Italians at Friday’s opening ceremony.
Furious patriots have called for Team USA to send both Hess and Lillis home from the Olympics
Team USA were met with a chorus of boos from furious Italian fans at the Winter Olympics
US Vice President JD Vance was also boo’d when shown on screen at the opening ceremony
Ahead of the Games getting underway this weekend, athletes from across the world took center stage as they paraded through the San Siro to greet eager spectators.
While spirits were high throughout the event, when Team USA marched through the stadium, they were met with a chorus of boos from the home crowd.
And the jeering only got louder when Vance was shown on screen following recent protests against the deployment of ICE agents at the Olympics.
Team USA were lead by flagbearers Erin Jackson, a speed skater, and Frankie del Luca, part of the nation’s bobsleigh team, as they entered the stadium.
Despite the boos, both Team USA’s athletes and Vance appeared in good spirits as they greeted the gathered fans in attendance.
