Trump and Obama clash over Team USA comments

February 17, 2026 Oliver Obel

As the 2026 Winter Olympics unfold in Milano Cortina, competition on the slopes and ice has been accompanied by an escalating political debate back home.

Former President Barack Obama weighed in Sunday evening, posting a video message on X (formerly Twitter) while attending the NBA All-Star Game courtside with former First Lady Michelle Obama. With the arena crowd visible behind him, Obama spoke about the ability of sports to bridge political divides at a moment when several U.S. Olympians are publicly at odds with the current administration.

“Sports can bring the world together. Right now we're in the middle of the Olympics, it's worth reminding us,” Obama said.

Reflecting on past international tournaments, he added: “We saw it in Paris. When you watch the U.S. team play in Paris and the Serbian teams and the French teams and you're reminded of what the dream team did to inspire all that and you saw the French fans when Steph [Curry] was hitting those threes... They're mad but they can't be too mad because it's art and it's joy. And it binds us together to see human excellence in that way.

“Only sports and music and the arts can do that. To bind us together. To remind us of our common humanity. That's something we want to preserve and build on.”

In the caption accompanying the video, Obama wrote that watching Team USA and the NBA All-Star festivities made it “clear that sports just like music and art still has the power to bring us together.”

https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/2023157535134371886?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2023157535134371886%7Ctwgr%5E98b9697cee4fc440a9d4406e11a81d87dd5c5863%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.givemesport.com%2Fwinter-olympics-barack-obama-new-message-athletes-feud-donald-trump%2F

Athlete Frustrations Surface

Obama’s remarks come days after several American athletes expressed unease about political tensions in the United States.

Freestyle skier Hunter Hess said he felt “mixed emotions” about representing the country at this year’s Games. Fellow skier Chris Lillis said he was “heartbroken” over the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents following the reported shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

“I hope that when people look at athletes compete in the Olympics, they realize that that’s the America that we’re trying to represent,” Lillis said.

The comments reflect a longer tradition of American athletes speaking publicly about domestic issues, from the raised fists of Tommie Smith and John Carlos in 1968 to more recent demonstrations during national anthems. But they also prompted swift criticism from political leaders.

President Donald Trump responded in a post on Truth Social, writing: “U.S. Olympic Skier, Hunter Hess, a real Loser, says he doesn’t represent his Country in the current Winter Olympics. If that’s the case, he shouldn’t have tried out for the Team, and it’s too bad he’s on it. Very hard to root for someone like this.”

Trump has also shared social media posts critical of Obama in recent days, further sharpening the political backdrop surrounding the Games.

White House Response

Vice President JD Vance addressed the issue during remarks at a Team USA Welcome Experience event ahead of the Milano Cortina Games.

“You're there to play a sport, and you're there to represent your country and hopefully win a medal. You're not there to pop off about politics,” Vance said.

He added: “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 exchange illustrates how global sporting events typically framed as moments of national pride can also become platforms for broader cultural disputes. For some athletes, speaking out is part of that responsibility. For others in Washington, it crosses a line.

With the Winter Games still underway, the athletic performances may ultimately command the headlines. For now, however, the conversation extends well beyond the medal count.

Sources: Public statements posted on X, Truth Social, remarks delivered at the Team USA Welcome Experience event.