US Vice President JD Vance was booed at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics amid worsening US-Europe tensions
When US Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance appeared on the big screen, applauding and waving US flags, the crowd responded by booing loudly. (Photo: The New York Times)
At the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics held in Milan, Italy, US Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance were booed by spectators. Attending in support of Team USA, the couple’s appearance garnered negative attention from the crowd. While the athletes received cheers, the Vice President and Second Lady were met with boos amid political tensions and controversies surrounding U.S. policies.
Earlier in the day, hundreds of people protested in Milan against the presence of US immigration enforcement agents, with demonstrations also directed at US Vice President JD Vance’s visit. Later, at the Opening Ceremony, during the Parade of Nations at the famous San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, the American team was greeted cheerfully by the audience. However, when US Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance appeared on the big screen, applauding and waving US flags, the crowd responded by booing loudly.
Notably, this incident took place despite the fact that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had urged the crowd to treat the American dignitaries and athletes with respect. When asked about the possibility of jeering, IOC President Kirsty Coventry had said, “I hope that the opening ceremony is seen by everyone as an opportunity to be respectful of each other”.
Several factors appear to have contributed to the crowd booing US Vice President JD Vance at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Milan. The ceremony took place in Italy, a European country, at a time when relations between the United States and Europe have grown strained under the second Trump administration. President Donald Trump’s statements about Greenland, the imposition of tariffs, threats directed at NATO, and the U.S. withdrawal from several international institutions, have heightened tensions across the transatlantic alliance.
JD Vance himself is also a polarising political figure. He has drawn criticism in the past for a number of controversial remarks and positions. Local political dynamics in Milan may have further fueled the reaction. The city, which is headed by a left-leaning mayor, had earlier objected to the presence of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents assisting with security for the American delegation.
After the clips of this incident went viral, American reporters questioned US President Donald Trump whether he was aware of the incident. “The vice president got booed during the opening ceremony. What do you make of that frosty reception?” a reporter asked. “No. Is that true? Is that right?” He replied. “It’s surprising because people like him. Well, I mean, he is in a foreign country, you know, in all fairness. He doesn’t get booed in this country.”
REPORTER: “The vice president got booed during the opening ceremony. What do you make of that frosty reception?”
— Fox News (@FoxNews) February 7, 2026
PRESIDENT TRUMP: “That's surprising because people like him. Well, I mean, he is in a foreign country, you know, in all fairness. He doesn't get booed in this… pic.twitter.com/3P5kkkKA41
Meanwhile, former US Vice President Kamala Harris, referring to the IOC advisory, posted on X, “Everyone booed anyway. Sad!”.
