Vice President JD Vance experienced an unexpected moment at the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony when thousands of spectators at Milan’s San Siro Stadium erupted in boos as cameras panned to him and his wife Usha.
The incident occurred Friday night during what should have been a celebratory moment for American athletes. While Team USA received enthusiastic cheers during their entrance, the reaction dramatically shifted when the broadcast cut to Vance waving the American flag from his seat.
The crowd’s response included a mixture of boos, jeers, and scattered applause. Interestingly, NBC chose not to include this awkward moment in their American broadcast, leaving viewers at home unaware of the reception.
President Trump addressed the situation while speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One. He claimed to be “surprised” by the negative reaction, stating that Vance is well-liked and doesn’t face such treatment on home soil. However, that claim doesn’t quite match reality.
The vice president has faced similar receptions in the United States on multiple occasions. Last August, he was booed while addressing the International Association of Fire Fighters. Another incident occurred in March when he arrived 25 minutes late to an event at the Kennedy Center, where attendees expressed their displeasure audibly.
The International Olympic Committee had previously urged spectators to maintain respectful behavior during the ceremony. IOC spokesperson Mark Adams later commented on the situation, emphasizing the importance of sportsmanlike conduct and supporting all athletes regardless of their background.
Usha Vance seemed unfazed by the incident, posting an upbeat message on Instagram celebrating Team USA’s participation in the games. The comment section, however, told a different story, with users flooding the post with references to the booing incident.
One user wrote they couldn’t hear her message over the sound of boos, while others joked that the crowd “knew the assignment.” The contrast between the official social media narrative and the reality of what transpired in Milan highlights the gap between political presentation and public reception.
This wasn’t an isolated incident at the ceremony. Athletes representing Israel also faced similar negative reactions from the crowd, despite the IOC’s warnings about maintaining respect.
The episode serves as a reminder that international events can become stages for expressing political sentiments, and that diplomatic appearances don’t always guarantee diplomatic receptions.
