By Trendsetter Tribune 
The opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games on Friday, February 6, was marked by an unusual display of political friction. While Olympic tradition emphasizes global unity, the appearance of Vice President J.D. Vance on the stadium’s big screen was met with a chorus of boos and whistling from the 65,000 spectators at San Siro.
The frosty reception reflects a broader decline in U.S. favorability across Western Europe, driven by a series of diplomatic crises and aggressive administrative policies.
The Booing Incident
The jeers began during the Parade of Nations as the U.S. delegation entered the stadium.
- Contrast in Reception: While the American athletes were warmly applauded, the crowd’s mood shifted instantly when cameras cut to the Vice President and Second Lady Usha Vance.
- Protest Context: Earlier that day, hundreds of “ICE OUT” protesters marched through Milan, targeting the presence of U.S. federal agents at the games and the administration’s immigration policies.
- Trump’s Response: Speaking from Air Force One, President Trump expressed surprise, stating, “He doesn’t get booed in this country,” and suggesting the reaction was simply because Vance was in a “foreign country.”
The “Greenland Crisis” and Plunging Approval
A YouGov poll released on the day of the ceremony confirmed that European sentiment toward the U.S. has reached its lowest point in a decade. Much of this animosity stems from the administration’s renewed pursuit of Greenland.
| Country | Favorable View of U.S. (Feb 2026) | View of U.S. as Ally/Friend |
| Denmark | 16% (Unfavorable: 84%) | 26% (Down from 80% in 2023) |
| Germany | 32% | 41% (Down from 65% in 2023) |
| Great Britain | 37% | 46% (Down from 69% in 2023) |
| Italy | 42% | 52% (Down from 67% in 2023) |
The Greenland Crisis escalated in January 2026 when the President refused to rule out military force to acquire the territory, leading Denmark and eight NATO allies to deploy defensive forces to the island. Though a “framework agreement” was reached in Davos on January 21 to avoid immediate military conflict, the diplomatic damage remains significant.
Policy Shifts and NATO Tension
The strain on the transatlantic alliance is not limited to Greenland. Several key factors have alienated traditional allies:
- Speech at Munich: In early 2025, Vance delivered a controversial speech at the Munich Security Conference, accusing European governments of being “restrictive of free speech” and signaling a shift in U.S. commitment to NATO.
- Trade Wars: The administration’s imposition of tariffs on European nations—including those that participated in military exercises with Denmark—has reignited fears of a permanent trade war.
- The “Domestic Terrorist” Label: High-level rhetoric from the administration regarding civil rights cases in the U.S. has also resonated poorly with European publics, who increasingly view U.S. foreign policy as erratic.
As the Winter Games continue, the tension in Milan serves as a visible reminder that the “America First” approach has created a significant rift with the United States’ oldest allies.