Crowds gathered in Waitsfield, Vermont, on Saturday to protest Vice President JD Vance's visit to a local ski resort, following his contentious Oval Office clash with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The demonstration took place near the Sugarbush Resort, where Vance and his family were vacationing, drawing attention from both locals and visitors.
The protest, organized by the Mad River Valley chapter of the activist group Indivisible, aimed to "protest the destructive and illegal actions of the Trump/Vance administration." Demonstrators lined a main thoroughfare in Waitsfield, holding signs that read messages such as "Vance is a traitor go ski in Russia" and "Stand with Ukraine," in a show of support for Ukraine and opposition to the recent diplomatic tensions.
The demonstration followed a tense meeting at the White House on Friday, where Vance and President Donald Trump engaged in a heated exchange with President Zelenskyy. The confrontation erupted during Zelenskyy's visit to Washington, D.C., to finalize a deal granting the U.S. access to rare earth minerals in Ukraine. Trump accused Zelenskyy of "gambling with World War III" if he failed to reach a peace agreement, while Vance criticized the Ukrainian leader for his perceived lack of gratitude for U.S. support.
In Waitsfield, a small group of protesters also gathered at the Sugarbush Resort itself. However, a spokesperson for the resort noted it was largely a "smooth day overall" at the slopes despite the nearby unrest. Protesters' signs rebuking Trump and Vance's treatment of Zelenskyy underscored the community's stance on international diplomacy and human rights.
Vermont Governor Phil Scott had issued a statement on Thursday welcoming Vice President Vance and his family to the state. His statement read: "Please join me in welcoming them to Vermont, and hoping they have an opportunity to experience what makes our state, and Vermonters, so special." Despite this warm welcome, the protests reflected a segment of local sentiment not shared by all Vermonters.
Vice President Vance's team did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment regarding the protests. The demonstrators' outcry serves as an indicator of public dissent towards the current administration's handling of international relations.
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