Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) on Tuesday criticized Winter Olympics reporters for asking athletes political questions. But he avoided any rebuke of President Donald Trump, who recently called a skier a “loser” after the athlete expressed dissent. (Watch the video below.)
Cox was at the Milan Cortina Games to talk about Salt Lake City hosting the Winter Games in 2034, but it wasn’t the only subject. When asked about Trump and divisive U.S. immigration enforcement, he said:
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“I know the media loves this stuff,’’ Cox replied. “It gets a lot of clicks.”
“I hate the questions you ask the athletes,” he added. “These are kids out there competing. I think you should be asking them about their sports and about their competition and let the politics take care of the politics.’’
Mike Lawrie via Getty Images
Trump on Sunday lashed out at U.S. freestyle skier Hunter Hess, a freeski halfpipe competitor.
Hess was asked at the Games about upheaval back home that included the killings of two protesters demonstrating against migrant raids in Minneapolis.
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“It’s a little hard,” Hess said. “There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of. Wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything going on in the U.S.”
Trump then called him a “real loser” and said it was “too bad” he’s on the U.S. squad.
Cox danced around criticizing Trump when asked about the tense relationship between the president and the competitors.
“Look, we love our athletes and we’re grateful for our athletes,’’ Cox said. “We recognize there are lots of divisions in our country and in our world today. I love that we get to live in a country where people get to speak their minds.
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“That’s true of athletes, it’s true of governors, it’s true of presidents, it’s true of every individual in our country. And I’m grateful for that, and again we care about unity, we believe this (the 2034 Olympics) is an opportunity to bring people together.’’
Nice dodge, Guv.