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She’s a 22-year-old Stanford undergrad studying quantum physics, a fashion model and one of the world’s highest-earning female athletes, netting more than $23 million last year.

She’s also just won two more Olympic medals in Milan. And yet freestyle skier Eileen Gu has faced more vitriol than ever over her decision to compete for China instead of the United States, where she was born and raised.

This isn’t new territory for Gu, one of the most recognized names in her sport. The San Francisco native has been surrounded by controversy for many years, with global scrutiny and media coverage reaching a fever pitch during her 2022 Olympics debut in Beijing.

At the time, she tried to remain neutral as much as possible – emphasizing her ties to both countries as a child born to a Chinese mother and American father.

This time, however, is different.

The rhetoric against her has been amplified in particular by right-wing platforms, tapping into a fervent “America First” nationalism fueled by the Trump administration and the US president’s MAGA base.

“I’ve been through a lot in the last four years and even beyond that,” she said at a news conference on February 9 after winning silver in the freeski slopestyle competition.

“I’ve gone through things at 22 that I don’t think any person ever should have to deal with, be it threats, vitriol, online hate, physical attacks – you name it, the list goes on,” she added.

“But I get stronger, right? That’s what’s so wonderful about being young. You adapt, you learn and you get stronger and better.”

Read more about Gu’s pushback against vitriol here (subscribers only).