Vice President JD Vance has a message for American athletes competing in the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics: leave the politics at home. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday from Baku, Azerbaijan, Vance addressed the recent wave of political statements from U.S. Olympians. He argued that while the entire country is rooting for them, athletes should focus on uniting the nation rather than airing domestic grievances on foreign soil.
"You're not there to pop off about politics," Vance said. "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." The Vice President’s comments come after he reportedly heard boos from the crowd during the opening ceremonies at San Siro stadium last Friday.
Vance specifically defended the administration's "pushback" against athletes like freestyle skier Hunter Hess, who expressed "mixed emotions" about representing the U.S. during the current political climate. President Trump previously labeled Hess a "real loser" on Truth Social, suggesting that if the skier didn't want to represent his country, he shouldn't have tried out for the team. Vance echoed this sentiment, stating that athletes who enter the political arena should expect a public reaction.
Several members of Team USA have used their platforms in Italy to criticize administration policies, particularly regarding immigration enforcement. Hunter Hess claimed that wearing the flag "doesn't mean I represent everything that's going on in the U.S." Meanwhile, figure skater Amber Glenn noted that the LGBTQ+ community has had a "hard time" under the current administration.
These comments have triggered a flood of social media criticism from conservative figures, including boxer Jake Paul. Paul, who was seen sitting next to Vance at a hockey game in Milan, wrote on X that athletes who don't want to represent the country should "go live somewhere else." Despite the political noise, American athletes are delivering historic performances in the 2026 Games.
Team USA has already secured 10 medals, including three golds in events like figure skating and alpine skiing. Vance, who is currently on a diplomatic tour through Armenia and Azerbaijan, maintained that the Olympics should be a moment for national unity. He praised the majority of athletes for their hard work and excellence, urging the "vocal few" to remember they are in Italy to represent everyone.