Vice President JD Vance recently took a family trip to Vermont’s Sugarbush Resort for a ski vacation. However, the visit was met with protests from pro-Ukraine demonstrators, following his controversial stance at a White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Media reports suggested that Vance and his family were forced to relocate due to security concerns, a claim he strongly refuted.
Vance Calls Media Reports ‘Idiotic’
The New York Post reported that Vance’s family had to be moved to an “undisclosed location” after protesters gathered at the resort. Demonstrators held signs calling him a “national disgrace,” “traitor,” and “pawn” of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Some even suggested he should take his ski trip to Russia instead.
Vance quickly responded to these claims on social media, writing on X (formerly Twitter):
“These people are such idiots. We had a great time during our weekend in Vermont. We barely noticed the protesters, and almost everyone we met was kind and generous. And Vermont is beautiful.”
He clarified that the hotel change was solely for privacy reasons and not due to safety concerns:
“This headline about being moved to an ‘undisclosed location’ is misleading. We changed hotels so the kids could have more privacy. We didn’t disclose it because the Secret Service prefers not to advertise my location.”
Protests and Counter-Protests Mark Vance’s Visit
When Vance arrived at Sugarbush Resort, he was greeted by a group of demonstrators voicing opposition to his stance on Ukraine. Signs among the crowd read, “Have you no shame? Support Ukraine.” However, the protests were not one-sided. Counter-protesters also showed up in support of Vance, waving Make America Great Again flags and displaying pro-Trump messages.
As Vance and his family departed Vermont via Leahy Burlington International Airport, another group of protesters gathered along Williston Road in South Burlington.
Social Media Reactions and Criticism
Vance’s response to the New York Post report sparked mixed reactions online. Some users defended his right to privacy, while others criticized his stance on Ukraine. His previous comments on Zelensky also resurfaced, fueling further debate on his position regarding the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.