American freeskier Hunter Hess responded to criticism from former President Trump by flashing an "L" sign after a successful Olympic halfpipe qualifying run. Hess, 27, had previously stated that representing the U.S. "brings up mixed emotions" due to current political actions, emphasizing that his representation aligns with his personal moral values and support system.
Following Hess's comments, Mr. Trump labeled the skier a "real Loser" on social media. Undeterred, Hess channeled the controversy into motivation, stating, "I worked so hard to be here. I sacrificed my entire life to make this happen."
He became one of four Americans to qualify for the 12-man final, aiming for the U.S. team's first gold medal in the event. Hess reaffirmed his love for the United States and Team USA, despite facing threats and a challenging week of training amid the public backlash.