Vice President JD Vance Greeted by Loud Boos at Milan Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony
Vice President JD Vance, who serves as the second-in-command to President Donald Trump, found himself in an unexpected spotlight during the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony in Milan on Friday. While he holds a prominent political position, he may have topped the charts in a less desirable category: receiving a chorus of boos from the crowd.
Broadcast Captures Spectators' Jeers at San Siro Stadium
The CBC's live broadcast feed clearly captured the moment when fans at San Siro Stadium directed loud jeers and whistles toward Vice President Vance. He was in attendance with his wife, Usha Vance, watching the ceremony unfold. On-air commentator Adrienne Arsenault noted the audible reaction, stating, "Oop ... those are a lot of boos for him. Whistling, jeering. Some applause." This contrasted sharply with the mostly warm and enthusiastic reception given to the U.S. Olympic team, despite earlier concerns from the International Olympic Committee that American athletes might also face disapproval.
Negative Reception Continues a Pattern for Vance at the Games
This incident is not an isolated one for Vice President Vance during the Milan-Cortina Winter Games. Just the day before, on Thursday, he drew widespread criticism and scorn online after appearing at the U.S. women's hockey team's opening match victory over Czechia. His presence at the event sparked backlash, adding to a series of controversial moments.
Vance has recently faced significant flak for his public statements, including calling the press "one of the least trusted institutions" and accusing journalists of being "fake." However, as the boos echoed through the stadium, they served as a stark reminder that the public's reaction to him was very real and palpable, regardless of his views on media credibility.
The overall vibe at the opening ceremony highlighted a disconnect, with the vice president experiencing a notably negative response while the American athletes were celebrated. This episode underscores the polarized perceptions surrounding political figures on the international stage, even at events meant to foster global unity and sportsmanship.
