Vice President JD Vance has advised American athletes competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina to prioritize their competitions and national representation over political commentary. Which any good athlete would do.
Several athletes from the United States have complained about the current state of events back home. Something they’d never have done under a President Biden or Obama. But because it’s Trump, they can’t contain themselves.
The most notable offenders have been Chris Lillis, a freestyle skier and gold medalist from the 2022 Beijing Games, and his teammate Hunter Hess, whose comments went viral and even prompted a callout by President Donald Trump.
Seems like Vance isn’t all that impressed with them either.
JD Vance to Vocal U.S. Olympians: Stick to Winning Medals, Not Popping Off About Politics
Vance, responding to a reporter’s question, addressed recent comments from several U.S. Olympians who have expressed concerns about the political climate back home under the Trump administration.
His comments come during a period of heightened domestic controversy surrounding immigration enforcement policies, including ICE operations that have sparked protests nationwide and internationally.
The Veep noted that these particular athletes are simply a vocal minority that the media latches onto because they agree.
“Yes, you’re going to have some Olympic athletes who pop off about politics,” Vance said. “I feel like that happens every Olympics.”
It’s true. Every one of these rubes thinks they’re Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Olympics.
“My advice to them would be to try to bring the country together, and when you’re representing the country, you’re representing Democrats and Republicans,” Vance added. “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.”
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Vice President Vance continued to address those who actually know how to focus on their competition.
“Most Olympic athletes, whatever their politics, are doing a great job,” he said. “Certainly enjoy the support of the entire country, and I think recognize that the way to bring the country together is not to show up in a foreign country and attack the President of the United States, but it’s to play your sport and to represent the country well.”
President Trump, as he often tends to do, was a little less diplomatic with his response earlier this week.
Trump called Hess a “real loser,” and said if he doesn’t want to represent America, “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.”