Vance Family in Chaos After Clash With Zelenskyy
Vance Family Moved to ‘Undisclosed Location’ Amid Fiery Pro-Ukraine Protests at His Vermont Vacation
Vice President JD Vance and his family were forced to relocate to an “undisclosed location” after hundreds of pro-Ukraine protesters descended on the Vermont ski resort where they were vacationing.
The protest came just days after a heated exchange between Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House.
Vance and his family had planned a four-day stay at Sugarbush Resort in Waitsfield, Vermont, but their trip was cut short as demonstrators gathered in large numbers. Protesters lined the streets, holding signs accusing Vance of being a “national disgrace,” labeling him a “traitor,” and urging the family to “go ski in Russia.”
The protests, which stretched for half a mile along Route 100 leading to the resort, were fueled by a recent clash between Vance and Zelensky. Signs displayed at the protest included harsh criticism of Vance’s stance on Ukraine and his policies, with some signs reading, “Have you no shame? Support Ukraine,” and “Nazi scum.”
In addition to the pro-Ukraine protesters, a group of counter-protesters, waving “Make America Great Again” flags, appeared in the area. The two groups clashed in heated verbal exchanges, adding to the tense atmosphere surrounding the resort.
With the protests escalating, the Vance family decided to leave their planned accommodations at a nearby four-star inn and moved to an undisclosed location to ensure their safety.
The intensity of the protests reached such a level that some demonstrators even set up camp by a ski-lift in an attempt to track down the Vice President and his family.
The protests had been planned earlier in the week, but their intensity increased dramatically following the confrontation between Vance and Zelensky in the White House. The incident, which involved a public argument between the Ukrainian leader and both Vance and President Donald Trump, added fuel to the protests.
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (D) had urged the public to consider Vance’s family vacation, calling for respect during their stay. “I hope Vermonters remember the Vice President is here on a family trip with his young children,” Scott said in a statement, urging for a welcoming atmosphere despite political differences.
Vermont-based activists initially planned to protest the Trump administration’s policies, particularly focusing on federal cuts to social programs. The protests later expanded to include criticism of Vance’s foreign policy stance, especially regarding Ukraine, per the New York Post.
Organizers from various groups, including the LGBT community, voiced their concerns about the current political climate and policies affecting marginalized communities. Katayoun Lam, an organizer and member of the LGBTQ+ community, expressed fears over the Trump administration’s stance on trans rights and immigration policies.
Earlier in the week, the White House meeting between Vance and Zelensky had turned contentious. Vance publicly criticized the Ukrainian president, telling him that it was disrespectful to come to the U.S. and argue in front of the media about U.S. aid.
Vance also expressed concerns about Ukraine’s treatment of conscripts, stating, “You should be thanking the president for trying to bring an end to this conflict.”
As protests continued throughout the weekend, the Vance family was forced to cut their trip short. While the tensions in Vermont grew, the Vice President’s office did not release further details about the Vance family’s location for security reasons.
Despite the upheaval, the protests appear to have drawn significant attention to Vance’s stance on Ukraine, as well as his role in the ongoing political drama involving President Zelensky.
Scroll down to leave a comment and share your thoughts.