“I do not support ICE. And I think it’s absolutely evil and awful and terrifying,” said the British-American skier.

Olympian Gus Kenworthy reveals death threats after posting anti-ICE message written in urine: ‘It’s insane’

"I do not support ICE. And I think it’s absolutely evil and awful and terrifying," said the British-American skier.

By Shania Russell

Shania Russell

Shania Russell is a news writer at *, *with five years of experience. Her work has previously appeared in SlashFilm and Paste Magazine.

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February 9, 2026 5:28 p.m. ET

Gus Kenworthy. Credit:

Roy Rochlin/Getty

Olympian and actor Gus Kenworthy isn't backing down from voicing his anti-ICE opinions, even after receiving a barrage of hateful messages.

Last week, the British American skier and actor shared a photo that candidly expressed his thoughts on the increased presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers across the United States. The image included the words "F--- ICE" written in urine in the snow. Days later, Kenworthy is explaining what motivated the post and addressing some of the "awful" responses that the photo inspired.

In a Sunday Instagram video, Kenworthy shared that although he is competing for Great Britain in this year's Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games, he cares deeply about what is currently happening across America. "I grew up in the U.S., that's where I went to school. I did my first two Olympics for the U.S. and won a silver medal for the U.S. That's where I live now, so yeah, I care about the U.S. and I care about what's happening there," Kenworthy began.

The *American Horror Story: 1984 *star then explained that since sharing the Feb. 6 post, he has received a flood of threatening messages.

Gus Kenworthy in 2022.

Clive Rose/Getty

"People telling me to kill myself, threatening me, wishing that they'll get to see me blow my knee or break my neck during my events, calling me slurs… It's insane," Kenworthy recounted. "And maybe that's the price you pay for speaking up and using your platform, so maybe this video is just going to invite more hate and vitriol. But I think it’s important to say what we feel and stand up for what we believe in and stand up to injustice."

Praising fellow American athletes Hunter Hess and Mikaela Shiffrin for speaking out amid political turmoil in the United States, Kenworthy added, "I feel like sometimes people forget that you can love the U.S. and be proud to be an American and still think the country can improve… Just because you love the U.S doesn’t mean you stand with this administration and stand behind their politics and support the things that they support because I don't."

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The 2026 Winter Games kicked off amid a fraught period in U.S. politics, as protests continue in the wake of ICE agents fatally shooting Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis last month.

Team USA Olympic halfpipe skier Hess admitted to having mixed emotions about representing his country in the Winter Games, telling *Reuters*, "There's obviously a lot going on that I'm not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren't. Just because I'm wearing the flag doesn't mean I represent everything that's going on in the U.S." Hess was swiftly branded a "real loser" by President Donald Trump after speaking out.

Similarly, US Alpine skier Shiffrin called out "global hardship and "violence," sharing her hope to display values of "inclusivity, diversity, and kindness" at the Olympics.

Getting explicit about his own views on the matter, Kenworthy said, "I do not support ICE. And I think it’s absolutely evil and awful and terrifying. There have been US citizens that have been murdered in the street, executed in the street. And the officers are essentially acting with impunity because their identities are covered. There’s no accountability. It’s really scary."

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Kenworthy continued, "I think overwhelmingly the majority of the people being targeted are good people, hardworking people that are non violent and have no criminal history and just came to the U.S. seeking a better life. And that is literally the foundation story of the U.S."

He asserted, "We are a county of immigrants and that's the American dream and I think people forget that sometimes."

Kenworthy, an openly gay athlete, previously won silver in ski slopestyle at the 2014 Winter Olympics while representing the United States. In 2019, he switched to representing Great Britain — and is also doing so as he prepares to compete in the Men's freeski halfpipe event.

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