Vice President J.D. Vance might have been hoping for a peaceful weekend of skiing in Vermont’s Mad River Valley, but instead, he found himself at the center of a storm—both political and, well, Vermont winter weather.
🚨 BREAKING. Fox News reports that protesters have disrupted JD Vance’s planned vacation in Vermont following yesterday’s fiasco. FAFO! pic.twitter.com/u0YlWJRd6k
— Ron Smith (@Ronxyz00) March 1, 2025
Vance, his wife Usha, and their children were set to enjoy the slopes at Sugarbush Resort this weekend, but their vacation plans hit a significant speed bump. Protests, traffic delays, and a growing public spectacle have overshadowed what was supposed to be a private family getaway.
You might be wondering why there were all the protests. Just a day before his trip, Vance was involved in a heated argument in the Oval Office. The discussion quickly went viral on social media, and late-night talk shows soon made jokes about it. By Friday, people in Vermont had organized protests against his visit.
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Demonstrators gathered in two key locations: outside the Pitcher Inn in Warren, where the family was expected to stay, and on Waitsfield Green, a central area for protests. Vermont is a state that strongly supports Democrats. In the 2024 election, it voted for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. So, it was no surprise that many people opposed Vance’s visit. Once his travel plans became public, online groups quickly organized rallies.
By Saturday morning, protesters were ready. One group gathered at 9 a.m. outside the Pitcher Inn, while another met at Waitsfield Green. Signs, chants, and speeches filled the air as people expressed frustration with the vice president.
At the same time, Vance’s supporters wanted to change the mood. They held a welcome rally on Main Street in Warren to show their support. Their goal was to “counter the negativity” of the protests. Meanwhile, Vermont State Police and the Secret Service worked hard to keep everyone safe. Officers warned drivers to expect traffic delays as Vance’s motorcade moved through the area.
Despite the chaos, Sugarbush Resort wanted visitors to know that everything was still running as usual. At Sugarbush Resort, a spokesperson assured visitors that normal operations would continue despite the high-profile guest. “The high-profile visit shouldn’t affect normal operations.”
Vermont’s Republican Governor, Phil Scott, tried to calm the situation. He welcomed the vice president but also asked people to be respectful.
“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 wrote. “Please join me in welcoming them to Vermont, and hoping they have an opportunity to experience what makes our state, and Vermonters, so special.”
Will the protests force Vance to leave early? That remains unclear. He may now be wondering if Vermont was the right place for a vacation after all.
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
