During the current Winter Olympics, NBC-Comcast has been running a promotion for the games involving the American audience. It shows several scenes where fans from rival sports teams – Red Sox/Yankees, Bears/Packers, etc. – encounter each other with built-in contempt on full display. But as they then begin watching American contests — at the gym or local bar — those conflicts are ignored, and supporting Team USA bonds everyone as Americans.
It appears many have not been following this promo, since in real life, the opposite has been taking place. Instead of becoming bonding moments, we are seeing those insisting that it is inappropriate to share these prideful experiences. Since the games began in Northern Italy, division and animosity have been the prevailing characteristics among American fans. The press has been a key component of this rift. Early in the Olympiad, we saw the media prodding various athletes to come out with critical commentary on the nation and the administration, and that divisiveness has continued throughout the event.
READ MORE: The Press Goes for Gold In Trashing the U.S. While Hailing the American Competing for the Chi-Coms
That tendency has carried over to the public and on social media. Instead of a country bonding over collective pride, political tribalism has been predominant. This has been most pronounced surrounding the female skier Eileen Gu. The American resident has been competing under China’s flag for years, but has been a media darling. This has not helped the issue.
Gu had her moment to denigrate the Trump administration, and this only endeared her more to the press. She is a highly paid tool of the Chi-Com authority, but is free to operate in the United States and enjoys her freedom of expression. Yet, in the environment of compelled government criticism, she cowered when asked to comment on her country’s record of human rights abuses.
You really want to know why, @TheCyrusJanssen?
— Brad Slager: CNN+ Lifetime Subscriber (@MartiniShark) February 21, 2026
Because Eileen Gu was willing to spout off with criticism of President Trump, but when asked to comment about the oppressive Chi-Comm govt. she clams up.
All while the fawning press calls her “brave”. https://t.co/jFe0NttC4Y pic.twitter.com/nPC3ugHOWD
Yet as Eileen Gu became a lightning rod, she was contrasted sharply by another athlete whose story was the polar opposite. Alysa Liu was one of the bright spots in an otherwise mostly disappointing figure skating troupe in these games. She is the daughter of Chinese immigrants escaping Chinese oppression and settling into this country. Her winning the gold medal was inspiring and generated genuine pride and excitement from many in the country.
And this was a problem.
As people were hailing her accomplishment and celebrating her pride in this country, that positive reaction rankled a fair number of people. How, you might be wondering? You see, Alysa Liu is regarded as many things that people on the Right are not supposed to approve of, and thus praising her accomplishments is… inappropriate, somehow?!
That Liu is the daughter of immigrants is one component. She is also considered a Leftist, or even described as “woke.” She seems to have expressed some liberal positions in the past. This is where the skewed thinking derives. Those on the Left regard Liu as their own, and if anyone on the Right supports her, this is considered improper or some sort of affront to them. It has been a remarkable reaction to watch playing out.
“Her father is a refugee, and she's achieving glory with the American flag... [And] these people are trying to deport, detain, and deny the next Alysa Liu right now.”@Timodc reacts to MAGA celebrating Liu’s Olympic win while backing policies that target refugees. pic.twitter.com/H2V2jxaLGj
— The Bulwark (@BulwarkOnline) February 21, 2026
This, and numerous other similar reactions, are seen across social media, and it is illustrative. Consider all of the lectures we normally hear regarding the country. Things are divisive, people are too political, intolerance needs to be squashed, and acceptance of all views should be encouraged. Yet when a deeply moving and bonding event takes place, we hear that it is wrong for that positive reaction to take place.
Alysa Liu was celebrated for her accomplishment and her warm pride for the nation. Yet when people on the Right, who are “supposed” to oppose her, accept and embrace her instead, this causes anger and discontent. This is the very thing that is claimed to be favored. Supporting an athlete who personally might hold differing views is a positive result, one that should be praised and encouraged.
Instead, we see anger and name-calling taking place. We see people say that those of the Right do not understand Liu’s positions, or even that MAGA is too stupid to grasp that the skater allegedly hates them. This is a venomous attitude, when national bonding is tossed aside, and a moment that should transcend political division is not allowed to happen.
Team USA took the gold in both Men's and Women's hockey, a true accomplishment, and both teams are filled with players unapologetically prideful and humble about playing for the country. They should be held up as the embodiment of the spirit of the games. They have been subjugated by many, as the contemptuous reaction is the needed act.
When we MUST maintain those divisions, and are required to stop bridging gaps and instead continued Balkinzation is the compulsory standard, it is a dire sign for the nation. We have to bypass these cranks requiring feuding tribal mindsets. Otherwise, we are on a destructive course as a nation.
If waving the American flag or chanting “USA!” turns you off right now, you're not alone. https://t.co/ndUODJtix4
— HuffPost (@HuffPost) February 21, 2026
Editor's Note: The mainstream media continues to deflect, gaslight, spin, and lie about President Trump, his administration, and conservatives.
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