Vice President J D Vance Booed At Olympic Opening

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy were always going to be a spectacle, but few could have predicted the political drama that would unfold during the opening ceremony at Milan’s San Siro Stadium on February 6. As the world tuned in to witness the start of the Milan-Cortina Games—spanning four cities and over 265 miles—what should have been a moment of unity instead became a flashpoint for simmering political tensions, both in the United States and abroad.

Vice President J.D. Vance, representing the United States in the presidential suite, found himself at the center of an unexpected controversy. When his image appeared on the stadium’s massive screens, the crowd’s response was swift and unmistakable: boos and jeers rang out, cutting through the thumping techno music and the otherwise festive atmosphere. The moment was brief—just a few seconds on camera—but it left a lasting impression, especially when contrasted with the raucous cheers that greeted the 323 American athletes as they marched into the stadium, proudly led by flag bearers Erin Jackson and Frank Del Duca.

According to longtime USA Today sports columnist Christine Brennan, this was a highly unusual occurrence. "It’s very rare to hear boos at an Olympic opening ceremony. In my 22 Olympics it probably has happened but I sure don’t remember it. Vice President JD Vance just got booed when he appeared on the big screen. The US athletes, on the other hand, received loud cheers," Brennan wrote on Twitter/X, capturing the shock felt by many in the arena and watching at home.

Dominik Hasek, the Czech hockey legend and 1998 Olympic gold medalist, didn’t mince words in his own social media post. "Given his and his president’s attitudes and actions, the booing was nothing surprising," he wrote, openly questioning whether such a reaction had ever been directed at an American politician at a Games opening. While the history of American political figures attending Olympic ceremonies is relatively short—then-Vice President Richard Nixon attended the 1960 Winter Games—this incident stood out as particularly pointed.

So, what led to this rare display of public disapproval? The answer is tangled in a web of recent controversies involving the Trump administration, of which Vance is a vocal supporter. In the days leading up to the opening ceremony, Milan saw protests against the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel. American officials insisted the agents were there not to enforce immigration laws, but rather "to vet and mitigate risks from transnational criminal organizations." Nevertheless, the optics of ICE in Italy, combined with the administration’s aggressive immigration policies back home—policies that Vance has publicly championed—sparked outrage among locals and activists.

President Trump’s foreign policy statements didn’t help matters. Just days before the ceremony, he made controversial remarks about the United States taking control of Greenland from Denmark, a suggestion that angered European allies and added fuel to the fire. One American fan at San Siro was even spotted wearing a sweatshirt that read, in several languages, "Sorry for our president." The sentiment seemed to resonate with many in the crowd, who were eager to express their displeasure when Vance appeared on screen.

The Milan-Cortina Games themselves were designed to be a celebration of harmony—armonia—and unity across borders. International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry underscored this in her opening speech, urging, "Let these Games be a celebration of what unites us, of everything that makes us human. This is the magic of the Olympic Games: inspiring us all to be the best that we can be—together." The ceremony’s staging drove the point home, with simultaneous events in Milan, Livigno, Predazzo, and Cortina d’Ampezzo, all linked by movie magic, a golden ring, and the soaring voice of Italian icon Andrea Bocelli. The Olympic flame was even split, lighting twin cauldrons in Milan and Cortina to symbolize unity despite distance.

Yet, the political divisions on display were hard to ignore. The ongoing war in Ukraine cast a shadow over the Games, with most Russian athletes barred from competition and only a handful allowed to participate as neutral individuals, stripped of their flags and anthems. Ukrainian athletes, by contrast, were met with loud cheers as they entered San Siro. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee found itself in the awkward position of clarifying that its security arrangements involved the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service, not ICE, in an attempt to cool local anger.

Inside the stadium, the American athletes—dressed in crisp white Ralph Lauren coats—were the picture of national pride. Their entrance was met with cheers and whistles, a stark contrast to the mood that shifted when the cameras found Vance and his wife, Usha, waving small American flags. Despite the chilly reception, Vance maintained a visible presence throughout the week, attending the U.S. women’s hockey opener and the team figure skating event, both before the opening ceremony. His steadfast support for President Trump’s policies, including a crackdown on immigration and a hardline stance on NATO, has made him a polarizing figure both at home and abroad.

For many Italians and Europeans, the booing was a spontaneous expression of frustration with what they perceive as a disregard for international norms and alliances. For others, especially supporters of the administration, it was an example of political bias creeping into what should be a celebration of sport. The sight of U.S. athletes being cheered while their vice president was booed encapsulated the complex relationship between politics and the Olympic spirit.

Meanwhile, the Olympic Games themselves pressed on, a logistical marvel spread across seven sports zones and 16 days. The opening ceremony, with its blend of fashion, food, and music, paid homage to Italy’s rich culture. Models in Giorgio Armani designs paraded the colors of the Italian flag, and a video on Italian hand gestures drew laughs from the crowd. The host nation’s athletes marched in last to deafening applause, a reminder that, at its best, the Olympics still have the power to unite people—if only for a moment.

In about two years, the United States will host the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, with plans for a similarly ambitious, multi-location opening ceremony. Whether American leaders will face a warmer welcome on the world stage remains an open question. For now, the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics serve as a vivid illustration of how global events can both bridge and expose the divides of our time.