Who is Monica Torres? Inside the HuffPost story that sparked outrage during Team USA’s Olympic win

Monica Torres, a senior reporter at HuffPost, is facing heavy criticism online after a recent article about the Olympics upset many readers. On February 21, 2026, HuffPost published her piece titled, “There’s A Name For The Discomfort You’re Feeling Watching The Olympics Right Now.” The tagline read, “If waving the American flag or chanting ‘USA!’ turns you off right now, you’re not alone.”Those lines quickly spread on social media. Many users said the headline felt unpatriotic at a time when Team USA was winning medals. The reaction was strong and emotional. Critics accused the article of being out of touch. As of now, neither Monica Torres nor HuffPost has released a public response.Monica Torres works as a senior reporter on HuffPost’s Life team. According to her official bio on HuffPost and her personal website, she covers anxiety, technology, and wellness trends. She writes daily news stories, career advice pieces, and explainers. She studied at New York University’s Studio 20: New Media and Digital Innovation program. She was also part of the Poynter Institute’s 2016 Diversity in Digital Leadership class and received Williams College’s 2013 Jones Fellowship in Journalism. Her work has appeared in Quartz, Slate, Fusion, Real Life Magazine, and The Hairpin.In the February 21 article, Monica Torres explored the idea that some Americans may feel mixed emotions while watching Team USA compete. She linked the celebration of Olympic wins with ongoing federal immigration enforcement actions happening in the United States. The article included comments from U.S. Olympic skier Hunter Hess, who 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.” His earlier remarks had also drawn attention from political leaders.Monica Torres also quoted clinical psychologist Tanisha Ranger, who explained the term “cognitive dissonance.” Tanisha Ranger said it “happens when someone holds two conflicting beliefs or values at the same time, or they are engaging in behaviors that contradict their values.” The article discussed how that tension can affect the mind and body and suggested ways to handle those feelings while still supporting American athletes. However, much of the anger online focused on the headline and tagline rather than the full article. Some users wrote that millions of Americans proudly chant “USA” and felt the piece dismissed that pride. A restaurant, Jimmy’s Famous Seafood, even posted a sharp public reply telling the writer to “Go F*** Yourself.” At this point, the controversy continues online, but there has been no official statement from Monica Torres or HuffPost.