JD Vance booed during Winter Olympics opening ceremony
Vice Presidential Nominee Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH) speaks on Day 3 of the Republican National Convention (RNC), at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US, July 17, 2024. PHOTO:REUTERS
US Vice President JD Vance, attending the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony alongside his wife Usha, was met with audible boos and jeers from the crowd when he appeared on the stadium’s big screen during the parade of nations on February 6, 2026.
The reception stood in stark contrast to the enthusiastic cheers for Team USA’s athletes earlier in the procession, as the American delegation entered San Siro Stadium ahead of the Games. Vance and his wife, waving small American flags, drew a notably chilly reaction from some spectators who voiced disapproval through whistles and booing.
Organisers and officials had called for a respectful and celebratory atmosphere ahead of the ceremony, with International Olympic Committee representatives emphasising unity and fair play amid global political tensions. After the incident, the IOC reiterated hopes that the Games would remain focused on sportsmanship and mutual respect between nations.
Observers have linked the reaction to Vance to broader political controversies surrounding US government policies, which have drawn criticism in Europe and elsewhere. However, the boos were brief in the context of the larger festive proceedings, and the overall mood for the opening was dominated by pageantry and support for the athletes competing in the three-week Winter Games.