US EditionOlympic Freeskier Hunter Hess Flashes an 'L' Sign, Says He Stands by His Statement and Loves the USA
Hunter Hess used the 'L' gesture to turn a negative label into motivation and reaffirmed his pride in representing Team USA at the Winter Olympics.
- At the men's freestyle skiing halfpipe qualifications in Livigno, Italy, on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, Hunter Hess made an 'L' gesture after a successful run, shaping his hand and lifting it to his forehead.
- Asked about representing the country amid the Trump administration's immigration enforcement, Hess answered 'If it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I'm representing it', which drew criticism.
- Hess said the gesture was meant as support and that he repeatedly said 'I love the United States of America' and representing Team USA 'means the absolute world to me'.
- Hess said he used the episode as motivation, noting 'I sacrificed my entire life to make this happen', and qualified for the 12-man final as one of four Americans at Livigno Snow Park.
- After a brief lull, attention returned as the 'L' gesture, commonly read as 'loser', prompted Hess to acknowledge 'Apparently, I'm a loser', before focus shifted again to his training in Laax, Switzerland.
38 Articles
38 Articles
PBS NewsHour
UpstractOlympic freeskier Hunter Hess flashes 'L' sign, says he stands by his statement and loves the USA
The 27-year-old American freeskier who received the "loser" label from President Donald Trump at the start of the Olympics — leading to threats to his family and setting off the first major political imbroglio of the Games — explained he has used the entire episode as motivation.
Associated Press News
Olympic freeskier Hunter Hess flashes an 'L' sign, says he stands by his statement and loves the USA
American freeskier Hunter Hess got to the end of his successful run in Olympic halfpipe qualifying, then bent his left thumb and forefinger into the shape of an “L.”
Now both Hunter Hess and Gus Kenworthy will compete in the Olympics in halfpipe – the event that has made US President Donald Trump see red
Snowstorm delays Hunter Hess’ Olympic run; crashes in practice; leans into 'real loser'
A snowstorm canceled qualifying in the men’s freestyle skiing halfpipe at the Winter Olympics, pushing both qualifying and finals to Friday for Bend’s Hunter Hess. He's also leaning into the "real loser" nickname President Donald Trump gave him.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 73% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
