Fox News’ Martha MacCallum asked Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday if the “status” of San Francisco-born Olympic freestyle skier Eileen Gu should be “changed” because she has opted to represent China on the snow.
MacCallum noted how some critics have labeled Gu ― just one of a number of American-born athletes who are competing for other countries at Milan Cortina 2026 ― a “traitor.”
“What do you think her status should be? Should it be changed?” MacCallum asked Vance of Gu, whose two golds and one silver at Beijing in 2022 and two silvers, so far, in Italy have made her the most decorated female freestyle skier in the history of the Games.
Vance replied: “Well, look, I have no idea what her status should be. I think that’s ultimately up to the Olympics Committee. I won’t pretend to wade into that.”
But Vance then said: “I certainly think that somebody who grew up in the United States of America, who benefited from our education system, from the freedoms and liberties that make this country a great place, I would hope that they want to compete with the United States of America.”
“So, I’m going to root for American athletes, and I think part of that is people who identify themselves as Americans. That’s who I’m rooting for this Olympics,” he added.
“I’m with ya on that one,” MacCallum replied.