US Vice President J.D. Vance was met with a chorus of boos and jeers when he appeared on the jumbotron during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan on Friday night. Vance and his wife, Usha, were shown standing and waving American flags inside the San Siro Stadium as Team USA was introduced.
According to NBC’s broadcast commentary, the audience reaction included audible hissing directed at the Vice President, while cheers that followed were interpreted as support for the American athletes, not the political figure. The mixed reception for Team USA and the outright hostility toward Vance highlighted the political tensions overshadowing the sporting event.
The incident follows Vance’s earlier attendance at an Olympic ice hockey match in Milan, where he was accompanied by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and two Olympic gold medal-winning hockey sisters. Both Vance and Rubio are considered potential contenders for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination. Organizers had anticipated possible political protests; the appearance of Israel’s delegation at the opening ceremony also drew boos from sections of the crowd.
The visit has occurred amid rumors in Italy about the potential presence of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents operating during the Games. Italy’s Interior Minister, Matteo Piantedosi, addressed the Chamber of Deputies to dismiss these claims, stating, “ICE does not and will never be able to carry out operational police activities on our national territory.” He clarified that any ICE personnel present would be limited to analysis and information exchange with Italian authorities.
Team USA has sent a record delegation of 232 athletes to the Milano Cortina Games, its largest Winter Olympics team in history.
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