JD Vance has been branded “Putin’s puppet” while on a skiing holiday in the US state of Vermont.
The US vice-president was also mobbed by protesters yesterday as he arrived at Sugarbush Resort in Warren, Vermont, for a weekend away.
Now, a new video widely shared on social media appears to show JD Vance skiing before he is nearly taken out by another skier. One person calls him “Putin’s puppet” while he’s on his way to the ski lift.
While Vance’s face is obscured in the videos, the American outlet TMZ has spoken to eyewitnesses at the resort who claim it is the US vice-president.
One protester told local news outlet WCAX-TV: “JD Vance has no friends in Vermont, but he’s got lots of friends in Russia, so he should go there for vacation.”
This action was planned in advance, but comes after the VP had a heated exchange with Volodymyr Zelensky over the weekend, attacking him for challenging Mr Trump’s claims that Vladimir Putin can be trusted.
Judy Daly, from Indivisible Mad River Valley, the group which organised the protest, told Vermont Public Radio: “I think [Friday’s] performance at the White House has probably galvanised even more people to come out today.”
As well as holding pro-Ukraine signs, other anti-war protesters waved Palestinian flags or signs in support of immigrant rights.
There was also reportedly a much smaller “welcome rally” for Mr Vance, with demonstraters turning out in support of him and the president.
Vermont Governor Phil Scott, a Republican who refused to vote for Mr Trump, urged people to “be respectful”. He said: “I welcome the vice-president and his family to Vermont and hope they enjoy their weekend here.
“It’s no surprise they chose Vermont, we’ve had a lot of snow this winter, which has been good for our economy.
“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.
“Please join me in welcoming them to Vermont, and hoping they have an opportunity to experience what makes our state, and Vermonters, so special.”
Resort spokesman John Bleh said on Sunday: “There were a handful of protestors at the resort throughout the day, but all were peaceful and none were disruptive.”
