JD Vance criticizes Irene Gu, who will represent China at the Olympics
Vice President J.D. Vance criticized American-born skier Eileen Gu, who will represent China at the Olympics, in an interview with Fox News.
Vice Chancellor J.D. Vance suggested that Eileen Gu, a San Francisco-born skier who won a medal for China at the Olympics, should represent the United States as a student at Stanford University.
Asked about Gu in a Feb. 17 interview on Fox News, Vance said, “Anyone who grew up in the United States and benefited from the educational system and freedoms that make this country a great place would want to compete with the United States.” “So I’m going to be rooting for American athletes, and I think part of that is people who identify as American. Those are the people I’m rooting for at this Olympics.”
The 22-year-old is a star freestyle skier, having won two silver medals at the 2026 Italian Winter Olympics, in addition to three medals at the 2022 Beijing Games, including gold medals in big air and halfpipe. Her mother is from China, and Gu is also a member of the 2022 national team. Her father is from the United States.
Gu’s Olympic biography states that she embraces a “multicultural upbringing” and speaks both English and Chinese fluently. She told Time magazine that skiing in China could help develop the sport in China.
“The United States already has representation,” she said. “I like building my own pond.”
The International Olympic Committee requires athletes to be citizens of the country they represent, and states that “nationals of two or more countries may represent only one country at the same time.” China does not recognize dual citizenship, and Gu declined to comment on his nationality.
“I have no idea what her position should be,” Vance told Fox News. “I think ultimately it’s up to the Olympic Committee.”
The Trump administration is at odds with China over trade issues. Vance led the U.S. delegation to the Olympics. After appearing on the jumbotron, he was booed at the opening ceremony at Milan’s San Siro Stadium. He shrugged that off, telling reporters on February 11, “I had a great time at the Olympics.”
“I think the media made a big fuss over the fact that there were certainly people in the crowd of 30,000 who opposed my policies and the policies of this administration,” Vance said.
The vice president recently defended President Donald Trump after slamming American freestyle halfpipe skier Hunter Hess. President Trump called Hess a “loser” after the Olympian said he now has “mixed feelings” about representing his country.
“You’re not here to joke about politics,” Vance said. “So when an Olympian enters the political arena, you should expect some backlash.”
Contributor: Chris Bumbaca
