US Vice President J.D. Vance was greeted with loud boos and jeers when his image 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 San Siro Stadium as Team USA was introduced.
NBC’s broadcast commentary noted that the reaction from the crowd included audible hissing directed at the Vice President. While some cheers followed, they were interpreted as support for the American athletes rather than for Vance himself. The mixed reception underscored the political tensions that spilled into the sporting event.
The incident came days after Vance attended an Olympic ice hockey match in Milan alongside US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and two Olympic gold medal–winning hockey sisters. Both Vance and Rubio are widely viewed as potential contenders for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination.
Olympic organizers had anticipated the possibility of political protests during the Games. Israel’s delegation also faced boos from sections of the crowd during the opening ceremony. The visit has taken place amid rumors in Italy about a possible presence of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during the Games.
Addressing the Chamber of Deputies, Italy’s Interior Minister, Matteo Piantedosi, dismissed the claims, stating that 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-sharing with Italian authorities.
Team USA has sent a record 232 athletes to the Milano Cortina Games, marking its largest Winter Olympics delegation to date.
