U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance has publicly criticized freestyle skier Eileen Gu, who, despite being born and raised in California and educated at Stanford, chose to represent China in the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Vance stated on Fox News that athletes who benefited from the U.S. educational system and freedoms should ideally compete for the United States, emphasizing his personal commitment to supporting American athletes. Gu's decision to represent China, her mother's country of origin, has been a subject of controversy since 2019, intensifying during the 2022 Beijing Games amidst growing geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China. Gu has since become a prominent figure, securing two silver medals in Big Air and Slopestyle at the 2026 Games and reportedly earning approximately $23 million in 2025 from endorsements. Reports also indicate that Gu and fellow U.S.-born skater Zhu Yi have received millions from Beijing's sports bureau to support their Olympic preparations, highlighting the diplomatic implications of these athletic choices.