“Mr. President, no one is required to bow down to you,” Sanders says after Trump jab at Olympian
Sen. Bernie Sanders said “no one is required to bow down” to President Donald Trump after Trump called U.S. Olympic freestyle skier Hunter Hess “a real loser,” escalating a political dispute that has followed some American athletes during the early days of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
Trump called American Olympian Hunter Hess a “real loser” for criticizing what’s happening in our country under Trump.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) February 8, 2026
Mr. President, this is not a monarchy. This is the United States and no one is required to bow down to you.
Hess is not a "loser." He's a proud American.
Sanders, an independent from Vermont, posted the message Sunday on X after Hess drew attention for remarks about representing the United States. Hess told reporters he had “mixed emotions” about wearing the U.S. flag at the Games because of what he described as turmoil at home, while also emphasizing pride in representing family and the parts of America he values.
Trump responded on his social media platform Truth Social by calling Hess “a real loser” and suggesting the athlete should not have tried out for Team USA if he felt that way.
In his post, Sanders criticized Trump’s response and defended Hess. “Mr. President, this is not a monarchy. This is the United States and no one is required to bow down to you,” Sanders wrote, adding that Hess “is not a ‘loser.’ He’s a proud American.”
The exchange reflects a broader tension around athlete speech during the Olympics, particularly as political issues in the U.S. remain a frequent topic at news conferences and on social media. Several U.S. athletes have defended the right to speak out while still expressing pride in competing for the country, according to Reuters reporting from the Games.
Hess, who competes in the freeski halfpipe, later responded by stressing his love for the United States while acknowledging disagreements with current politics, according to multiple reports.
The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee said it supports athletes and has resources available to address safety and well-being, as some competitors have faced online harassment tied to political comments.
The controversy also drew responses from other athletes, including high-profile competitors who urged restraint and emphasized that the Olympics can be a unifying event even when national politics are divisive.
Neither the White House nor Team USA officials issued an immediate formal response specifically addressing Sanders’ post, though the episode quickly spread across social media and cable news coverage of the Games.
