Slate News What Next - Trump Can’t Ruin These Olympics
Feb 15, 2026
Justin Peters, Slate correspondent covering the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics and author, offers reporting and commentary on the politics and spectacle of the Games. He discusses athlete political statements and the U.S. response. He compares past protest backlash to today. He explains IOC enforcement choices and warns how a 2028 U.S. Games could be politicized.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Spectacle Amid Structural Harm
- The Olympics feel uplifting even while carrying huge political and social costs for host cities and residents.
- Justin Peters notes the Games are a spectacle that widens viewers' worlds despite their negative footprint.
Small Athlete, Big Backlash
- Hunter Hess, a relatively unknown U.S. freestyle skier, said he didn't feel good about events at home and got attacked by Trump.
- Justin Peters uses Hess's simple, honest answer to show athletes speaking candidly draws national attention.
Silencing Efforts Backfire
- Attempts to silence athlete dissent have backfired and amplified other athletes' statements.
- Peters highlights how Trump's attacks led skiers like Eileen Gu and Chloe Kim to push back publicly.