National Icon or ungrateful Traitor? The fluid Identity of Eileen Gu in the U.S. Media Discourse

Abstract

This study examines a February 2026 CNN report using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to explore how US media construct the personal identity of Eileen Gu. The investigation focuses on the complex tensions arising from her dual belonging to China and the United States, identifying central themes, implicit viewpoints, and identity construction strategies. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates qualitative discourse analysis with topic modeling and sentiment analysis via the Orange text mining tool, analyzing the text comprehensively across word choice, modality, and transitivity. Results indicate the report defines Gu’s identity through a dichotomy between China and the US, framing transnational belonging within state loyalty evaluations. Ethnically marked descriptions distinguish her from other Asian-American athletes, while frequent modal verbs convey fixed expectations regarding state duties. Transitivity analysis reveals divergent narrative representations: from a US perspective, Gu is the object of scrutiny and doubt, whereas Chinese public responses reshape her as a celebrated national figure. Although the report integrates various viewpoints and maintains a seemingly neutral stance, its content arrangement and linguistic formulations align closely with US perspectives on state loyalty. Ultimately, the study concludes that media discourses utilizing seemingly neutral linguistic techniques can deliberately ethnicize and politicize the identities of third-culture athletes.