Chloe Kim requires unity after Trump bashes teammate over feedback

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LIVIGNO, Italy (AP) — Chloe Kim and Eileen Gu, two Olympic standouts who’ve confronted their share of hate through the years, every weighed in Monday on Donald Trump’s bashing of their pal, American freeskier Hunter Hess, for having stated he didn’t again the U.S. president’s heightened crackdown on immigrants.

“I feel in moments like these, it’s actually essential for us to unite and sort of get up for each other for all that’s happening,” stated Kim, the two-time Olympic gold medalist whose mother and father are South Korean immigrants and who has confronted racism all through her profession for her Asian heritage.

Gu, the American-born freeskier who competes for China, stated after her silver-medal win in slopestyle that she had been in contact with Hess, who advised her she was one of many few individuals who may relate to what he’s going by way of.

“As somebody who’s been caught within the crossfire earlier than, I really feel sorry for the athletes,” stated Gu, who was born in San Francisco and whose choice to compete for China turned her right into a lightning rod.

FILE – Hunter Hess, of the US, executes a trick within the halfpipe finals throughout the World Cup U.S. Grand Prix freestyle snowboarding occasion in Copper Mountain, Colo., Dec. 17, 2022. (AP Picture/Hugh Carey, File)

Silver medalist China’s Eileen Gu celebrates after the ladies’s freestyle snowboarding slopestyle finals on the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Picture/Gregory Bull)

United States’ Chloe Kim, middle, speaks as Bea Kim, left, and Madeline Schaffrick look on throughout a press convention on the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Picture/Lindsey Wasson)

United States’ Chloe Kim seems to be on throughout a press convention on the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Picture/Lindsey Wasson)

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FILE – Hunter Hess, of the US, executes a trick within the halfpipe finals throughout the World Cup U.S. Grand Prix freestyle snowboarding occasion in Copper Mountain, Colo., Dec. 17, 2022. (AP Picture/Hugh Carey, File)

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Hess drew Trump’s ire when he was requested by reporters to present his views on the immigration crackdown that has claimed the lives of two protestors in Minnesota and disrupted hundreds of lives of immigrants and U.S. residents. Hess answered: “Simply because I’m carrying the flag doesn’t imply I signify every little thing that’s happening within the U.S.”

The following day, Trump lashed out at Hess on his Fact Social account, calling him “an actual Loser” and saying he can be exhausting pressed to root for him at the Video games. Hess’s mates — snowboarders and freeskiers competing this week in Livigno — had been requested for his or her response.

“My mother and father being immigrants from Korea, this one undoubtedly hits fairly near dwelling,” stated Kim, who begins protection of her title Wednesday.

“I’m actually proud to signify the US,” she stated. “The U.S. has given my household and I a lot alternative, however I additionally assume that we’re allowed to voice our opinions of what’s going that we have to lead with love and compassion.”

Different American snowboarders spoke out for range and the fitting of expression.

“I feel there are a variety of totally different opinions within the U.S. proper now. Clearly we’re very divided,” snowboarder Bea Kim stated. “I personally am very proud to signify the US. That being stated, I feel range is what makes us a really sturdy nation and what makes that so particular.”

Teammate Maddie Mastro added: “I’m additionally saddened with what’s occurring at dwelling.”

“It’s actually powerful and I really feel like we are able to’t flip a blind eye to that. However on the similar time, I signify a rustic that has the identical values as mine of kindness and compassion. And we come collectively in occasions of injustice,” Mastro stated.