The Athletic has live coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics.

LIVIGNO, Italy — A day after President Donald Trump called one of her Olympic teammates “a real Loser,” two-time snowboard halfpipe gold medalist Chloe Kim said that while she is proud to represent the United States, athletes have a right to voice their opinions.

Kim and three of her Team USA snowboarding teammates were asked Monday about Trump’s comments about freestyle skier Hunter Hess on Truth Social and their thoughts on representing the U.S. over the next few weeks.

“We need to lead with love and compassion, and I’d love to see more of that,” said Kim, 25, who is aiming for a third straight gold medal in the halfpipe, something no snowboarder — male or female — has accomplished.

Kim, whose parents, Jong Jim Kim and Boran Yun Kim, emigrated from South Korea in 1982 and ended up in Southern California, added: “Obviously, my parents being immigrants, this one hits pretty close to home.

“It’s important in moments like these for us to unite and kind of stand up for one another with what’s going on. I’m really proud to represent the United States. The U.S. has given my family so much opportunity, but I also think we are allowed to voice our opinions on what’s going on.”

On Friday in Italy, Hess said representing the United States amid a tense and divisive political climate back home was “a little hard.”

“There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of and think a lot of people aren’t,” Hess said. “If it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I’m representing it. But just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean that I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.”

Hess also said that he was proud to represent his “friends and family back home, and all the things I believe are good about the United States.”

Those words drew the ire of Trump, who posted on his Truth Social platform Sunday: “U.S. Olympic Skier, Hunter Hess, a real Loser, says he doesn’t represent his Country in the current Winter Olympics. If that’s the case, he shouldn’t have tried out for the Team, and it’s too bad he’s on it. Very hard to root for someone like this. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

Hess, who won’t make his Olympic debut until the men’s freeski halfpipe competition on Feb. 19, did not say that he doesn’t represent the United States.

From left: Bea Kim, Chloe Kim, and Maddy Schaffrick speak during Monday’s press conference in Livigno. (Hannah Peters / Getty Images)

Kim’s sentiments were echoed by her teammates, starting with 25-year-old Maddie Mastro, another native Californian.

“I’m proud to represent Team USA and my country,” Mastro said. “I’m also saddened about what’s happening at home. It’s really tough, and I feel like we can’t turn a blind eye to that. At the same time, I represent a country that has the same values as mine, kindness and compassion, and we come together in times of injustice.”

Bea Kim, the 17-year-old who’s making her Olympic debut and whose grandparents also immigrated to the United States, said the four snowboarders sitting on the dais — and the stories of how they reached the biggest stage in their sport — speak to the opportunities offered back home.

“I think there are a lot of different opinions in the U.S. now. Obviously, we’re very divided,” 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 us so special.

“I don’t think there’s anywhere else in the world where you can have the opportunity to do whatever you want. I think the four of us sitting here today are an example of that. We all got to chase our dreams.”

Maddy Schaffrick, the 31-year-old Coloradan making her Olympic debut, said the Games “are the epitome of all countries and cultures coming together in celebration and friendly competition.”

“I’m proud to represent the U.S. and wear the American flag in such an internationally cohesive event, and do what I love while representing the U.S.,” Schaffrick said.