J.D. Vance Hits the Slopes; Gets Called “Putin’s Puppet” in the Process!
Talk about a vacation gone wrong! J.D. Vance took a little break from the political chaos of Washington, D.C., heading up to the picturesque Sugarbush Resort in Vermont for what was supposed to be a chill ski weekend. But it seems the slopes weren’t as friendly as he had hoped. While gracefully gliding down the snow, Vance was not only almost taken out by a rogue skier, but also endured a rather unfriendly jab from an onlooker who called him “Putin’s puppet.” Ouch!
Eyewitnesses may not have been able to catch Vance’s facial expressions (thanks to his not-so-stealthy skiing attire), but they definitely made sure to confirm it was him speeding down the hills, despite his somewhat cautious technique. According to video footage shared by TMZ—because what’s a celebrity moment without a little surveillance?—the ski day took a turn when Vance casually floated past the ski lift and heard the heckler’s slightly amusing yet cutting complaint. Rather than engaging with the criticism, he simply smiled and continued on his way, which is probably the safest move when surrounded by potential “Vance fans.”
Now, why the animosity? Well, flashback to a recent Oval Office meeting that involved Vance, former President Donald Trump, and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky. Tensions flared as Vance suggested Zelensky should be thanking Trump for efforts toward a diplomatic solution regarding the ongoing Ukraine conflict, which many interpreted as a bit insensitive given the gravity of the situation. The backlash was swift, with protests erupting in Vermont as locals took to the streets (and ski slopes) with signs labeling Vance as a “traitor” and suggesting the cows had higher intelligence than the senator himself. Ouch, talk about a low blow!
It’s worth noting that Vermont residents have historically leaned more toward Democratic candidates, as evidenced by Kamala Harris’s sweeping victory there in the 2020 election. So, it’s no surprise that Vance, a Republican senator from Ohio, had a bit of a mixed reception. As he tries to shake off the heat from his weekend getaway, one has to wonder: is skiing really worth facing his constituents’ wrath? Stay tuned; it seems his trip may have been anything but relaxing!
Sources: Celebrity Storm and TMZ, The Hill, Politico
Image Credit: Attribution from EXIF: Artist: Graham Stokes
