Ski resorts are usually places for relaxation, but for U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his family, a recent trip to Vermont took an unexpected turn.
Pro-Ukrainian protesters greeted them at Sugarbush Ski Resort in Warren, holding signs with strong messages, reports Digi24.
Some called Vance a traitor and told him to "go ski in Russia." Others accused him of supporting Putin and failing to stand with Ukraine.
The protest quickly grew. Social media posts showed more people joining in with banners condemning both Vance and former President Donald Trump.
The atmosphere became tense. The Vance family, who had been skiing at the resort, decided to leave.
Reports say they skied down the mountain to avoid the protesters. Soon after, security moved them to a hidden location to ensure their safety.
A skier interviewed by the media dismissed the protesters as "frustrated idiots." Others at the resort watched the scene unfold but chose not to get involved.
The demonstration came just one day after a heated argument between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. leaders in the White House.
Zelensky had been meeting with Trump, Secretary Marco Rubio, and Vance in the Oval Office. The conversation took a turn when Vance criticized him for being "disrespectful."
He told Zelensky that he should thank Trump for trying to end the war with Russia.
Vance also pointed out Ukraine’s struggle to recruit soldiers and suggested the country was forcing people to the front lines.
The argument escalated. Zelensky was eventually asked to leave the White House. His removal shocked many and fueled frustration among Ukraine’s supporters. The protest at the ski resort reflected that anger.
Vance has been vocal about his stance on the war in Ukraine. His remarks in the Oval Office only deepened the divide between those who support continued aid and those who want the U.S. to step back.
The protest in Vermont showed that his words did not go unnoticed. As tensions around the conflict grow, moments like this may become more common.
