San Siro smackdown: JD Vance gets ice cold welcome in Italy
The Winter Olympics are officially underway, but for Vice President JD Vance, the opening ceremony was less of a celebration and more of a PR nightmare. JD and his wife, Usha Vance, popped up at the Milano San Siro Olympic Stadium on Friday, February , looking for a patriotic photo op, but the crowd had other plans. When the stadium jumbotron flashed the VP’s face, the year old politician was met with a deafening wall of noise that definitely was not cheering.
Broadcast cameras caught the couple frantically waving American flags, trying to play it cool while the jeering and whistling threatened to drown out the entire Parade of Nations. It was an aggressive display of disapproval that NBC announcers could not even ignore. One announcer caught the vibe immediately, noting the heavy presence of boos and whistling mixed with only a light dusting of applause. It seems the “unity” JD was pitching did not quite reach the nosebleed seats in Milan.
“The sound was unmistakable. It was like a wave of heat hitting him through the screen. You could see the moment the smile tightened on his face. It was brutal to watch.”
The humiliation was captured from every angle as USA Today and other major outlets reported the vocal rejection of the Vice President. While the IOC tried to play peacemaker before the event, asking for everyone to be “respectful,” the spectators clearly did not get the memo. For a guy who claimed the Olympics would unite the country, getting publicly roasted on a global feed is a tough look for the administration.
Desperate PR spin: JD tries to play the unity card
Before the stadium turned into a hostile environment, JD was busy pushing a narrative of togetherness. Arriving in Milan on Thursday, February , he told reporters that the games are one of the few things that “unites the entire country.” He even went as far as to say that Democrats, Republicans, and Independents were all rooting for the same team. It was a classic political move to wrap himself in the flag, but the stadium reaction suggests his “unity” might be a total fabrication.
Our insiders say the Vance team was blindsided by the intensity of the boos. They expected some friction, but not a full-blown stadium revolt during what should have been a safe patriotic moment. The Vice President is learning the hard way that international crowds do not play by the same rules as campaign rallies. While he stood there with Usha Vance, the optics were less about gold medals and more about political damage control.
“He was trying so hard to look like he was having the time of his life, but the body language was screaming discomfort. You can only wave a flag so hard to distract from ten thousand people booing you.”
This embarrassing display is already being compared to Donald Trump’s experience at Super Bowl LIX, where the former President was also treated to a chorus of boos. It seems to be a recurring theme for the ticket: show up to a massive sporting event and get eviscerated by the public. The question now is whether this will kill the VP’s momentum as he tries to position himself as the face of the “New America.”
The Usha distraction: A baby bump to soften the blow
While the crowd was busy booing, JD and Usha were leaning heavily into their newest family update. Just one month ago, the couple announced they are expecting baby number four. It is a convenient bit of news that the Vance camp has been using to humanize the often-criticized politician. Usha, , is currently pregnant with a boy, and the pair has been milking the announcement for all its worth, even thanking military doctors in their official statements.
Is the pregnancy being used as a shield against criticism? Some cynics think the timing is a little too perfect. JD recently claimed that Usha’s pregnancy proves he “practices what he preaches,” a bold statement aimed at his base. But even a baby on the way could not stop the Milan crowd from letting him have it. Usha looked visibly weary during the ceremony, which is understandable given the hectic travel and the toxic atmosphere in the stadium.
“They are really leaning into the family man image right now. It is almost like they are trying to hide behind the baby bump because the political heat is getting too high. It didn’t work in Milan.”
The couple already has three children—Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel—but adding a fourth to the mix while serving as Vice President is a chaotic move. They are expecting the new addition in late July, right in the middle of what is sure to be a firestorm of a summer. If JD thought the Olympic boos were bad, he better get ready for the sleepless nights and the relentless scrutiny that comes with a high-profile pregnancy in the middle of a political war.
Divorce rumors and ring-less sightings: What is really going on?
Let’s not forget the shady rumors that were swirling just before the pregnancy announcement. Back in December , the internet was on fire with talk that JD and Usha were headed for a split. The second lady was spotted multiple times without her wedding ring, leading to frenzied speculation that the marriage was on the rocks. JD had to go on NBC News to shut down the gossip, claiming their marriage was “as strong as it’s ever been.”
Despite his denials, the suspicious behavior had everyone talking. Why would a woman in such a high-profile role “forget” her ring unless there was trouble in paradise? JD tried to frame it as Usha “developing and evolving” in her new role, but it smelled like calculated PR spin. The sudden pregnancy announcement in January felt like a classic band-aid move to stop the divorce talk in its tracks.
“The ring-less photos were everywhere. You don’t just stop wearing your wedding band when you’re the Second Lady of the United States unless you’re sending a message. Then suddenly, boom, she’s pregnant? It’s a bit too convenient.”
Whether the marriage is actually solid or just a carefully curated facade for the cameras is the million dollar question. In Milan, they stood side-by-side, but the underlying tension was palpable. Usha has been forced into the spotlight in a way she never was before, and the sacrifices JD mentioned in his interview seem to be weighing heavy on the family. The glitzy Olympic backdrop could not hide the fact that this couple is under an incredible amount of pressure.
The IOC’s failed plea for “respect”
Kirsty Coventry, the International Olympics Committee President, tried to get ahead of the drama during a press conference on February . She practically begged the crowd to be “respectful of each other” regardless of country or religion. It was a desperate attempt to keep the games from turning into a political circus. Clearly, the crowd in Milan was not interested in her vision of harmony.
The fact that the IOC felt the need to make such a statement proves they knew trouble was brewing. High-profile political figures are becoming magnets for controversy at sporting events, and the Winter Games are no exception. The security detail around the Vances was reportedly “extremely tight,” with Italian police and Secret Service working overtime to ensure the hostile crowd did not get too close. The boos were loud, but the underlying anger felt even deeper.
“Coventry was basically asking for a miracle. You put a polarizing figure like Vance on a jumbotron in front of an international crowd and you’re going to get fireworks. They got exactly what they feared.”
The failure of the “respect” plea shows just how divided the global audience remains. While JD tried to tell the Associated Press that the country is “all rooting for you,” the jeers from the stands told a very different story. It was a clash of narratives, and the crowd won this round. The Olympics are supposed to be about the athletes, but for a few minutes on Friday night, it was all about the unfiltered hate for the man in the VIP box.
A cliffhanger in the snow: What happens next for JD?
As the games continue through February , everyone is wondering if JD will show his face at any other major events. After the brutal reception at the opening ceremony, he might decide to keep a low profile in the VIP lounges rather than risk another round of public shaming. But with Usha’s pregnancy and the administration’s need for good press, he might be forced to get back out there and take the heat.
Will the Vances stay for the whole two weeks, or will they make a quiet exit after this embarrassing start? There are already whispers of a scheduled departure that might be moved up to avoid more bad optics. And let’s not forget the looming baby news—any complication or health scare would be an instant ticket home. The drama in Milan is far from over, and the world is waiting to see if JD can flip the script or if he will leave Italy with his tail between his legs.
One thing is for sure: the boos heard around the world have set the tone for the VP’s Olympic journey. It is a icy start to the games, and the shady rumors about his marriage and his political standing are only going to get louder as the snow piles up in Milan. Keep your eyes peeled, because this story is just getting started.
Would you like me to dig deeper into the Secret Service’s reaction to the crowd or perhaps look into Usha’s private schedule while she’s in Italy?
