Team USA's Amber Glenn slammed by Megyn Kelly, online users over LGBTQ 'hard time' remark

MILAN, ITALY: Amber Glenn, Team USA’s figure skater at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, has been facing heavy criticism online. Her comment that the LGBTQ+ community is having a “hard time” in the US, without providing specific examples, drew backlash from Megyn Kelly and other social media users.

Subsequently, Glenn said she received a "scary amount of hate" and "threats" for her comments and has decided to limit her time on social media and take a short break. 

What did Amber Glenn say?

Speaking to reporters at a press conference in Milan, Amber Glenn said, “It’s been a hard time for the community overall and this administration,” referring to the Trump administration's policies. 

"It isn’t the first time that we’ve had to come together as a community and try and fight for our human rights. And now, especially, it’s not just affecting the queer community, but many other communities," she added.  

Glenn also noted that communities were “able to support each other in a way that they didn’t have to before and because of that it's made us a lot stronger.” 

"I hope I can use my platform and my voice throughout these Games to try and encourage people to stay strong in this hard time," the 26-year-old athlete shared. 

About commenting on politics as an athlete, Glenn said, “I know that a lot of people will say, ‘You’re just an athlete, stick to your job and shut up about politics,’ but politics affects us all,” she added. “It’s something that I will not just be quiet about, because it is something that affects us in our everyday lives. So of course there are things that I disagree with, but as a community, we are strong and we support each other, and brighter days are ahead of us.”

Amber Glenn receives backlash from Megyn Kelly and social media users

Amber Glenn’s comments quickly ignited online outrage, prompting Megyn Kelly to reshare her video and criticize her, writing, “Another turncoat to root against.”

Apart from Kelly's comment, one social media user said, "Another person that forgets she is there to represent America, not her personal opinions.  Remove her from the team." 

Another user shared, "Here we go, Amber Glenn jumping from triple axels to vague victim monologues with zero receipts, claiming it’s a 'hard time' but can’t name a single law, policy, or real-world example, just vibes and feelings floating in the rink air."

"This is the modern activist starter pack, say you’re oppressed, refuse to specify how, then act offended when people ask for details, nobody’s saying athletes can’t talk politics, they’re saying if you’re gonna talk, come correct, facts, dates, policies, something concrete, because 'trust me bro' isn’t an argument, politics do affect everyone, sure, but that cuts both ways," they added. 

"If you want to play pundit instead of just skate, expect pushback, scrutiny, and questions, that’s not oppression, that’s adulthood, say what you want, but don’t cry foul when people ask you to explain it like a grown-up," the user concluded.  

Another netizen remarked, "I’m a 50-year-old gay man who has endured homophobia and discrimination. So I can assure you that gay people aren’t having a hard time under the Trump administration, nor did they have a hard time under the Obama or Biden administrations, because society’s perception of homosexuals has changed for the better, and legislation has passed to help end discrimination against gay people."

"It pi**es me off to no end when some self-righteous, sanctimonious athlete spreads lies just to score cheap political points," they added.  

"It’s hard to root for athletes who can’t keep their mouths shut," one more tweet read. 

Amber Glenn reduces social media presence amid harsh reactions

Amber Glenn said she is stepping back from social media after receiving threats and “a scary amount of hate” for speaking out about the treatment of the LGBTQ+ community under the Trump administration. Glenn is the first openly queer woman to represent Team USA in figure skating. 

“When I chose to utilize one of the amazing things about the United States of America (Freedom of speech) to convey how I feel as an athlete competing for Team USA in a troubling time for many Americans I am now receiving a scary amount of hate/threats for simply using my voice WHEN ASKED about how I feel,” Glenn wrote in her Instagram Stories on Saturday, February 7.

“I did anticipate this but I’m disappointed by it,” she added. “I will be limiting my time on social media for my own wellbeing for now but I will never stop using my voice for what I believe in,” the athlete added.

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