Vice President JD Vance encountered a hostile crowd reception during the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Milan, Italy, despite Olympic officials’ pleas for respectful behavior toward all attendees.

Mixed Crowd Response at Olympic Ceremony

While NBC’s broadcast downplayed the crowd noise during Vance’s appearance, Canadian broadcaster CBC captured the full extent of the negative reception. The Canadian announcer described hearing sustained booing, whistling, and jeering mixed with scattered applause as cameras showed Vance and his wife, Usha, representing the United States at the ceremony. The stark difference between the two broadcasts highlighted how media coverage can vary significantly depending on the source.

The negative reception occurred against the backdrop of anti-ICE protests in Milan on the same day. Hundreds of demonstrators had gathered to voice opposition to American immigration enforcement policies, creating a tense atmosphere surrounding the American delegation’s presence at the international sporting event.

Olympic Officials Urged Respect

International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry had specifically addressed potential tensions during a Wednesday press conference. When asked about possible demonstrations against Americans due to geopolitical tensions and Milan’s mayor describing ICE agents as a deadly militia, Coventry emphasized the importance of mutual respect. She highlighted how Olympic athletes from different nations interact peacefully in the Olympic village, regardless of their countries’ political differences or religious backgrounds.

Pattern of Public Disapproval

This incident marks the second documented case of Vance facing public hostility in less than a year. In March 2025, he received similar treatment at the Kennedy Center in Washington during a National Symphony Orchestra performance, where cameras captured him smiling and waving while audiences audibly booed. The consistency of these negative public reactions suggests that ongoing opposition to Vance’s political positions extends beyond American borders into international settings where American officials represent the country.