Vice President JD Vance and his family were forced to leave a Vermont ski resort and relocate to an undisclosed location after hundreds of pro-Ukraine protesters swarmed the area on Saturday.
This incident came just one day after his heated Oval Office exchange alongside President Donald Trump against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The demonstration, held at Sugarbush Resort in Waitsfield, saw angry protesters lining Route 100, holding signs that called Vance a “traitor” and a “national disgrace.”
Per The Independent, some chanted anti-Russian slogans, while others mockingly urged him to “go ski in Russia.”
Backlash Over Oval Office Confrontation
The protest was sparked by Friday’s fiery White House meeting, where Vance and President Donald Trump clashed publicly with Zelensky during what was supposed to be a discussion on mineral rights agreements between the U.S. and Ukraine, that would hopefully be a pathway for peace in the European nation.
The discussion quickly devolved into a shouting match, with Vance accusing Zelensky of being ungrateful for American aid.
“Mr. President, with respect, I think it’s disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media,” Vance told Zelensky. “Right now, you guys are going around and forcing conscripts to the front lines because you have manpower problems. You should be thanking the president for trying to bring an end to this conflict.”
Following the tense exchange, the White House abruptly ended the meeting, and Zelensky left without securing a deal.
Ski Resort Protest Intensifies
The protests at Sugarbush Resort had been planned in advance, but tensions escalated significantly after the White House confrontation.
Protesters — many waving Ukrainian flags — gathered outside the resort, shouting slogans and blocking roadways leading to the ski lifts.
Protesters carried signs reading “Have you no shame? Support Ukraine” and “Nazi scum, get out.” A handful of demonstrators even camped out near a ski lift, hoping to confront Vance directly.
TMZ shared a video of one person yelling at Vance, calling him “Putin’s puppet”.
Some protesters also took aim at the Trump administration’s broader policies, particularly regarding climate change and federal budget cuts.
One Sugarbush employee, Lucy Welch, used the resort’s official website to voice her frustration, writing, per The Independent: “Right now, National Forest lands and National Parks are under direct attack by the current administration, which is swiftly terminating the positions of dedicated employees who devote their lives to protecting the land we love.”
“This administration also neglects to address the danger, or even the existence of, climate change—the biggest threat to the future of our industry, and the skiing we all so much enjoy here.”
Counter-Protesters and Political Divide
Despite the heavy anti-Vance sentiment, some counter-protesters showed their support for the vice president.
Pickup trucks flying “Make America Great Again” flags drove through Main Street in Waitsfield, while others clashed verbally with the pro-Ukraine demonstrators outside the resort.
Resort spokesman John Bleh confirmed that a handful of protesters had gathered but stated that they were peaceful. He declined to comment further.
Vance and Family Relocated for Safety
The intensity of the protests led Vance and his family to scrap their vacation plans and leave Sugarbush Resort early.
Initially planning to stay at a nearby four-star inn, they instead moved to a secure, “undisclosed location” for their safety, the New York Post has reported.
Ahead of Vance’s visit, Republican Vermont Governor Phil Scott had called for civility, reminding residents that Vance was on a family vacation with his children.
“I hope Vermonters remember the vice president is here on a family trip with his young children and, while we may not always agree, we should be respectful,” Scott said in a Thursday statement.
Wider Political Fallout
The backlash against Vance highlights the deepening divisions over U.S. policy toward Ukraine.
While Trump and his administration have pushed for a scaled-back approach to American involvement in the conflict, Zelensky and his allies continue to push for stronger U.S. support.
President Zelenskyy has since claimed in a statement shared to X that he is ready “to sign the mineral agreement”, but needs stronger assurances for security from Trump and the US.