By Trendsetter Tribune 
On Monday, February 9, 2026, Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) ignited a fresh culture war at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, demanding that U.S. athletes who express “mixed emotions” about representing the country under the Trump administration be immediately stripped of their uniforms.
The “Uniform” Ultimatum
In a video shared on X, Scott—a prominent ally of President Trump—reacted to a series of press conferences in Italy where American athletes addressed domestic political turmoil, specifically regarding ICE enforcement and LGBTQ+ rights.
- The Demand: Scott stated that any athlete who “says they don’t want to represent the United States” should lose the privilege of wearing the flag.
- The “Beacon” Argument: He captioned his post by calling the U.S. a “beacon for freedom and democracy,” a phrasing that critics immediately labeled hypocritical given his call to punish athletes for their speech.
- Social Media Backlash: The post was met with swift derision, with users pointing out that Olympic uniforms are earned through athletic merit, not political loyalty oaths.
The Athletes in the Crosshairs
The Senator’s comments follow a series of “unfiltered” moments from Team USA members that have already drawn a public rebuke from President Trump, who branded one skier a “real loser.”
| Athlete | Discipline | Comment |
| Hunter Hess | Freestyle Ski | Admitted to “mixed emotions,” stating, “Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.” |
| Chris Lillis | Freestyle Ski | Said he felt “heartbroken” about the current state of the U.S. and urged respect for human rights. |
| Amber Glenn | Figure Skating | Spoke on the difficulties facing the LGBTQ+ community; later reported receiving a “scary amount” of death threats for her comments. |
| Gus Kenworthy | Freestyle Ski | Representing the UK but raised in the US, he posted a viral photo of an anti-ICE message written in the snow, urging fans to call their Senators. |
A Divided Olympic Spirit
The controversy has effectively split the American camp in Milan. While stars like Chloe Kim have rallied to Hess’s defense—calling for “love and compassion”—others, such as skier Nick Goepper, have distanced themselves from the fray, stating they are there to uphold “classic American values.”
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) has since issued a statement standing behind its athletes’ right to free expression while working with law enforcement to address the surge of digital threats targeting the team.
Representing the United States—a beacon for freedom and democracy—at the Olympics is an honor.
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) February 9, 2026
Anyone who feels otherwise should be stripped of their USA Olympic uniform. pic.twitter.com/fciWOd8THX