Milan, Italy – Cheers for the United States team at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan were noticeably mixed with jeers as the cameras focused on Vice President J.D. Vance and his wife, Usha Vance. The incident, which occurred during the traditional Parade of Nations at the San Siro Stadium on , has drawn a surprised response from President Donald Trump.
As the U.S. Delegation entered the arena, the athletes were greeted with applause. However, when the stadium screens displayed Vance and his wife waving American flags, a chorus of boos, whistles, and jeers erupted from the crowd, according to a commentator with the Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC). “Oops… those are a lot of boos for him… whistling, jeering, some applause. Not a long shot for him on the screen there,” the CBC broadcaster said during the live feed, footage of which quickly circulated on social media.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Palm Beach, Florida, President Trump expressed surprise at the reception. “That’s surprising because people like him,” he said, adding, “He is in a foreign country, in all fairness. He doesn’t get booed in this country.”
The reaction to Vance’s presence in Milan comes amid a period of strained relations between the United States and several European nations. Since President Trump returned to office last year, disagreements have arisen over trade policies, digital regulations, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Trump’s past rhetoric and actions, including threats regarding Greenland, have also contributed to a cooling of diplomatic ties.
The frosty reception extended beyond Vance. The Israeli delegation also faced boos during the parade, reportedly linked to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and international sentiment surrounding the Palestinian cause.
The incident at the opening ceremony is not isolated. Reports indicate that Vance has faced similar displays of disapproval during appearances in the United States in the past year, including at a concert held at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.
The presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel at the Olympics also sparked protests in Milan on . Hundreds of demonstrators gathered to voice their opposition to the security detail assigned to the U.S. Delegation, highlighting domestic unrest over the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies.
Longtime USA Today sports columnist Christine Brennan noted the rarity of such a reception at an Olympic opening ceremony, stating on X (formerly Twitter), “In my 22 Olympics it probably has happened but I sure don’t remember it.”
Vance arrived in Milan on , and has since attended a women’s ice hockey match and held discussions with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The 2026 Winter Olympics will continue through .
The Games are also proceeding under the shadow of international sanctions. Thirteen Russian athletes are competing under neutral flags, a consequence of the Russian Olympic Committee’s suspension related to the conflict in Ukraine – a decision that Moscow has condemned as politically motivated.
