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American freeskier Hunter Hess made an “L” hand sign after completing his Olympic qualifying run in the halfpipe on Friday, an apparent nod to President Donald Trump’s criticism of the Olympian, who previously said he had “mixed emotions” about representing the United States at the Milan Cortina Games.
Hess shaped his index finger and thumb to form the letter “L” and raised his hand to his forehead after finishing his run.
Hunter Hess of the United States reacts during the men’s freestyle skiing halfpipe qualifying at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Livigno, Italy, February 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
“Apparently,” he said, according to the Associated Press. “I’m a loser.”
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The remark referenced Trump’s previous criticism of Hess, in which the president called him a “real loser” in a social media post following Hess’ controversial remarks about the United States’ representation at the Olympics under the current administration.
“I worked really hard to be here. I sacrificed my whole life to get here,” Hess said Friday. “I’m not going to let controversy like that get in my way. I love the United States of America. I can’t say that enough. My initial statement, I felt like I said that, but apparently people didn’t take it that way. I’m so happy to be here, so happy to represent Team USA.”
Hess was part of a group of American freestyle skiers and other American athletes to express their thoughts on representing the United States at Milan Cortina. At a press conference preceding the events, Hess said he had “mixed emotions” about it.
Hunter Hess of the United States reacts while competing in the Men’s Freeski Halfpipe Final during the 2025 Toyota United States Grand Prix at Copper Mountain on December 20, 2025 in Copper Mountain, Colorado. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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“Representing the United States right now brings mixed emotions, I think. It’s a little difficult. There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t,” he began.
“I think for me it’s more about representing my friends and family back home, the people who represented them before me, everything that I believe is good about the United States. If it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I’m representing them. Just because I’m carrying the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the United States.
“I just want to do it for my friends, my family and the people who support me to get here.”
President Donald Trump responded to his remarks in a social media post, calling Hess “a real loser.”
Hunter Hess of the United States performs a trick during the halfpipe final during the U.S. Grand Prix World Cup freestyle skiing event in Copper Mountain, Colorado, December 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Hugh Carey, file)
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“American Olympic skier Hunter Hess, a real loser, says he is not representing his country in the current Winter Olympics,” he wrote. “If that’s the case, he shouldn’t have tried to make the team, and it’s a shame he made it. Very hard to support someone like this. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Hess said Friday that he stood by what he initially said, but added: “It means everything to me to be able to represent Team USA here. I worked so hard to get here. I stand by what I said.”
Hess is one of four Americans qualified for Friday’s 12-man halfpipe final.
