Eileen Gu Faces Backlash for Defending Trump, Silence on China’s Human Rights Record

Eileen Gu Faces Scrutiny Over Trump Comments, Silence on China’s Human Rights Record

American-born freestyle skier Eileen Gu, representing China, is facing a growing wave of criticism after commenting on recent remarks made by former President Donald Trump while remaining silent on alleged human rights abuses within China. The 22-year-old athlete, who earned a silver medal in slopestyle at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, sparked controversy with her statements regarding Trump’s criticism of U.S. Olympian Hunter Hess.

Gu expressed her dismay that the focus of the Olympics had shifted to a political dispute unrelated to the spirit of the Games. “I’m sorry that the headline that is eclipsing the Olympics has to be something so unrelated to the spirit of the Games. It really runs contrary to everything the Olympics should be,” Gu told reporters Monday. She emphasized the unifying power of sport, stating, “The whole point of sport is to bring people together… One of the very few common languages, that of the human body, that of the human spirit, the competitive spirit, the capacity to break not only records, but especially in our sport, literally the human limit.”

The backlash against Gu centers not on her comments about Trump, but on what critics perceive as a double standard. While willing to address political commentary surrounding the U.S. Olympics, Gu has consistently avoided public statements regarding China’s alleged human rights abuses, including the reported systematic repression of Uyghurs and other Muslim ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom was among the first to publicly condemn Gu’s actions, labeling her a “traitor” in a post on X. Kanter Freedom wrote, “Eileen Gu is a traitor. She was born in America, raised in America, lives in America, and chose to compete against her own country for the worst human rights abuser on the planet, China. She built her fame in a free country, then chose to represent an authoritarian regime while cashing in on endorsements linked by watchdog groups to mass detention and forced labor camps.” He further asserted that her silence on China’s actions was not neutrality, but a deliberate choice.

Hudson Institute senior fellow Michael Sobolik echoed these sentiments, questioning Gu’s selective criticism. “Listen, it’s fine for athletes to criticize the U.S. President. It also isn’t that interesting because it happens all the time. What’s interesting about this story … is that Eileen Gu is an American skier competing for China. No mention about whether the CCP’s genocide of Uyghurs ‘runs contrary to everything the Olympics should be.’ No criticism of Xi Jinping for the imprisonment of Jimmy Lai, Pastor Ezra Jin, Gulshan Abbas, or China’s many other political prisoners,” Sobolik posted on X.

Gu, who is estimated to have earned $23 million in 2025 through sponsorships with both Chinese and Western companies, including the Bank of China, has previously stated she represents China in honor of her mother, who was born there. This decision has been a source of ongoing debate, particularly given her American upbringing and the political complexities surrounding her choice.

Republican communications specialist Matt Whitlock also weighed in on the controversy, questioning Gu’s silence on issues within China. “Can’t imagine a worse voice on this topic than an athlete who threw away her American citizenship for Chinese Communist Party endorsement deals. Does Eileen Gu have any criticism for Xi Jinping for genocide, slavery, and arresting dissenters?” he wrote on X.

The controversy comes as Trump himself has been a prominent figure during the current Winter Olympics, having criticized Hess for expressing “mixed emotions” about representing the U.S. Trump posted on social media, calling Hess a “real Loser” and questioning his commitment to the country. Hess had previously stated that representing the U.S. Was complicated given ongoing political issues, but emphasized his loyalty to his friends, and family.

Gu’s comments and the subsequent backlash highlight the increasing intersection of sports and politics, and the challenges faced by athletes who navigate complex national identities and geopolitical landscapes.