During the opening ceremony of the Games at San Siro stadium, J. D. Vance faced boos from the crowd as he appeared on the stadium's big screen with his wife while the USA team entered in the parade of nations. Although Vance received loud applause from athletes, the negative reaction from the audience was a stark contrast to his expectations. When asked about the incident aboard Air Force One, D. Trump reacted with surprise, asserting that Vance is generally well-liked, particularly in the US, and noted that the booing might be an anomaly due to the event being held in a foreign country.

This incident is notable as it adds to a pattern of public discontent toward Vance, who has faced similar reactions in the past. For instance, he was also booed during a concert in Washington, highlighting ongoing tensions between him and certain segments of the public. The backdrop of the incident was a large international sporting event, which typically sees varied responses based on political figures’ involvement, further complicating public sentiment towards politicians abroad.

In addition to the booing of Vance, the event in Milan was marked by protests from several hundred students opposing the participation of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials in the Games. These protests indicate a broader disapproval of US federal policies, particularly regarding immigration enforcement, and suggest that international sports events can be a platform for political expression. This complex interplay of sports and politics was evident as spectators reacted both to the celebration of athletic achievement and to the implications of US policies being present in a global setting.