Eileen Gu faces significant backlash for commenting on Trump while remaining silent on China's human rights concerns
American-born Olympic skier Eileen Gu has attracted considerable criticism after commenting on Trump's statement regarding another skier, while simultaneously facing accusations of ignoring China's alleged human rights violations.
Eileen Gu, an American-born Olympic skier competing for China, has generated controversy through her recent political commentary and representation choices. Born in San Francisco, she is the highest-paid Winter Olympic athlete, earning approximately $23 million in 2025 through various sponsorships. She competes for China to honor her mother's heritage.
Recently, Gu commented on Trump's criticism of skier Hunter Hess, stating that such controversies contradict Olympic values and that sports should unite people across political divisions. Nevertheless, she has faced substantial backlash for her silence regarding China's alleged human rights abuses, particularly the reported persecution of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang.
Critics, including former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom and political analysts, have accused her of prioritizing commercial endorsements over human rights advocacy. Gu maintains that she has been unfairly caught between competing interests and hopes athletes can focus on their performances.
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