JD Vance has thoughts on U.S. born-and-raised star Eileen Gu competing for China

Freeski superstar Eileen Gu’s decision to represent her mother’s birth nation of China has been a hot-button topic on social media throughout these Olympics, and now Vice President JD Vance has weighed in, suggesting Gu should have chosen to represent the United States.

Gu has become the most decorated Olympic freeskier of all time during these Games, adding two silver medals to her haul from Beijing 2022 when she won two golds and a silver.

She was born and raised in San Francisco, but declared her intent in June 2019 to represent China.

Born and raised in the United States, Eileen Gu competes for China at the Winter Olympics. Here’s why she’s said she made that choice and why the question keeps resurfacing.

“I certainly think 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 they want to compete with the United States of America,” Vance told Fox News when asked about some social media furor over Gu.

“I’m going to root for American athletes, and I think part of that is people who identify themselves as Americans,” he added.

The 22-year-old Gu is due to compete later today in qualifying for the women’s halfpipe, her strongest event.

Vance meanwhile, made news earlier in the Winter Olympics. He and his wife were booed at the Opening Ceremony. And some watch parties.