A HuffPost social media post during the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games drew widespread backlash after suggesting that Americans who feel uneasy seeing displays of patriotism at the Olympics “are not alone.”

As Team USA competed in Milan-Cortina, HuffPost published a tweet that quickly circulated online: “If waving the American flag or chanting “USA!” turns you off right now, you’re not alone.”

The post linked to an article by Monica Torres titled, “There’s A Name For The Discomfort You’re Feeling Watching The Olympics Right Now.”

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In the piece, Torres referenced what she described as feelings of “cognitive dissonance” that some viewers may experience while watching American athletes compete and win medals.

According to the article, viewers who feel a “tightening in your chest” while watching patriotic celebrations may be experiencing emotional conflict.

Torres also wrote that Olympic victories were unfolding alongside federal immigration enforcement actions and deportations carried out under President Donald Trump.

In the article, Torres stated that “federal agents detain 5-year-olds and kill unarmed civilians” while athletes win medals, describing what she characterized as a sense of “national shame.”

The piece quoted “clinical social workers” and “psychologists” who suggested that viewers uncomfortable with patriotic displays could redirect their energy toward “mutual aid campaigns” and focus on “humanity” instead of medal counts.

The article also included comments from skier Hunter Hess, who said that wearing the American flag as part of his Olympic uniform does not mean he represents the U.S. government.

The HuffPost tweet and article prompted swift reaction online, particularly from small business owners and social media users who criticized the framing of patriotic displays as a source of psychological discomfort.

Jimmy’s Famous Seafood, a family-owned restaurant in Baltimore operating since 1974 and known for shipping its crab cakes nationwide, responded directly to HuffPost’s tweet.

“Go f**k yourself.”

Go fuck yourself

— Jimmy’s Famous Seafood (@JimmysSeafood) February 22, 2026

The restaurant’s response quickly gained traction across social media platforms.

As of publication, the tweet had been viewed more than 16.3 million times and generated thousands of replies and reposts.

Many users praised the business for its blunt reaction to the HuffPost message.

The exchange occurred as American athletes competed in the 2026 Milan-Cortina Games, with the men’s hockey team drawing significant attention during its tournament run.

Patriotic displays, including fans waving American flags and chanting “USA,” have long been a fixture of Olympic competition.

HuffPost’s framing of those displays as potentially triggering discomfort sparked debate about the role of media commentary during international sporting events.

Critics argued that linking Olympic celebrations to broader political debates was misplaced, while supporters of the article maintained that viewers are entitled to process current events in different ways.

The incident also reflects ongoing tensions between media organizations and audiences over coverage of national identity, immigration policy, and federal law enforcement actions.

President Trump designated several cartels as foreign terrorist organizations earlier this year and has continued to emphasize border security and immigration enforcement.

Those policies have drawn criticism from some media outlets and advocacy groups, while supporters say they are necessary for public safety.

The viral exchange between HuffPost and Jimmy’s Famous Seafood added another flashpoint to that broader national debate, with a local restaurant’s four-word reply becoming one of the most widely shared reactions of the week.