Vice President JD Vance delivered a blunt message from Azerbaijan this week: when you wear the American flag on the world stage, you represent the entire country — not just your personal politics.
His comments came after several Team USA Winter Olympians, including freestyle skier Hunter Hess, publicly criticized President Donald Trump over border enforcement policies. Hess suggested he felt “mixed emotions” about representing the United States, adding that wearing the flag does not mean he supports “everything that’s going on in the U.S.”
For many Americans, that sentiment struck a sour note.
Vance, speaking to reporters, urged athletes to remember why they’re there in the first place. “When you’re representing the country, you’re representing Democrats and Republicans,” he said. “You’re there to play a sport, and you’re there to represent your country, and hopefully win a medal. You’re not there to pop off about politics.”
The vice president emphasized that most Olympians, regardless of personal ideology, compete with dignity and focus. His point was simple: the Olympics are one of the rare global events where Americans of every stripe rally behind a common cause. Turning that stage into a political soapbox risks undermining that unity.
Hess, however, appeared unmoved. “It brings up mixed emotions to represent the US right now,” he said, suggesting he competes more for “friends and family” than for the nation itself. Critics argue that if representing the United States feels like a burden, perhaps the privilege of wearing the uniform should be reconsidered.
President Trump didn’t mince words. On Truth Social, he labeled Hess a “real loser” and questioned why someone who disavows representing the country would seek a roster spot in the first place. “Very hard to root for someone like this,” Trump wrote, punctuating the post with his signature “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
The president’s bluntness ignited predictable outrage from the left — but it also sparked applause from Americans who believe national representation demands a measure of gratitude and respect.
One of the strongest rebukes came from Mike Eruzione, captain of the legendary 1980 “Miracle on Ice” hockey team. Eruzione reminded critics what that flag has meant to generations of athletes and service members alike, arguing that wearing it on your sleeve should inspire humility, not political commentary.
Rep. Byron Donalds echoed the sentiment, noting that athletes choose to compete and represent the United States. “Some things are bigger than politics,” he argued, underscoring that the Olympic stage is about country first.
Meanwhile, Sen. Bernie Sanders rushed to Hess’s defense, framing Trump’s criticism as authoritarian. But critics counter that no one is demanding obedience — only appreciation for the privilege of representing the United States before a global audience.
At a time when national unity often feels fragile, the Olympics remain one of the few moments when Americans set aside partisan battles to cheer as one. Vance’s message was clear: if you’re fortunate enough to wear “USA” across your chest, honor it — and let the politics wait until after the medals are awarded.
