U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance is in Milan, Italy, this week for meetings surrounding the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics adn broader geopolitical discussions. Arriving Thursday with his family, Vance’s visit is underscored by a notable security presence as he balances Olympic events with high-level talks-including a Friday meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni focused on issues ranging from the war in ukraine to transatlantic economic relations. The visit is also drawing attention as reports surface of potential diplomatic friction surrounding seating arrangements at tonight’s opening ceremony.
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday, February 6th, amidst a visit centered around the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Vance arrived at Malpensa Airport with his wife and children, and his movements throughout the city were closely guarded by a significant security detail.
Away from the ceremonial events surrounding the Games, today’s 1:00 PM meeting with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the prefecture palace is expected to be the most significant political event of Vance’s Milan visit, blending sports with high-stakes geopolitics and diplomacy. A wide range of issues are on the agenda, including the situation in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, and the complex economic relationship between the U.S. and Europe.
While the world’s attention is focused on Milan, local security forces are heavily focused on U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, who landed at Malpensa Airport on Thursday morning with his wife and children. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived just half an hour prior. A motorcade of 45 vehicles escorted the Vice President, while 30 accompanied Rubio. The security detail included over 300 personnel – uniformed agents and plainclothes Secret Service agents. Vance first visited the Sheraton Hotel in Gallarate for a meeting with a hockey team before arriving at the luxurious Hotel Gallia, overlooking Milan’s Central Station, shortly before 1:00 PM.
The hotel has been transformed into a Washington D.C. outpost, with four floors reserved exclusively for the U.S. delegation. Ambassador Bruno Antonio Pasquino, head of the Republic’s Diplomatic Protocol, U.S. Ambassador to Italy Tilman J. Fertitta, and Consul Douglas Benning greeted Vance, his wife Usha, and their children. Outside, curious onlookers and commuters gathered in Piazza Duca d’Aosta and Piazza 4 Novembre, kept at a distance by barricades and police. Vance, surrounded by a heavy security presence, was difficult to spot.
The scene repeated itself in the afternoon when Vance and his family headed to the Santa Giulia Arena to watch the U.S. Women’s National Hockey Team’s Olympic debut against the Czech Republic.
Wearing a team jacket with his name and the American flag, Vice President Vance entered the arena to applause at the end of the first period, just as the U.S. scored their first goal. He held his youngest daughter, Mirabel, while his wife, Usha, wrapped in a white fleece, and their older sons, Ewan and Vivek, sat beside them. The family maintained a low profile, posing for a few photos during breaks, but enthusiastically cheered on the team with bells in hand. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (sporting an American flag sweater under his jacket) joined them with his wife, Jeanette Dousdebes Rubio, and daughter Amanda. The game ended in a dominant 5-1 victory for the Americans, a promising start to their Olympic campaign.
Following the game, Vance attended a gala dinner hosted by the IOC at the Fabbrica del Vapore and received a greeting from President Sergio Mattarella. Tonight’s opening ceremony at San Siro is generating buzz, with reports suggesting French President Emmanuel Macron may not attend due to a seating dispute. Sources indicate Macron was unhappy with his assigned seat next to J.D. Vance, and officials are considering moving the Vice President closer to representatives from Salt Lake City to avoid a diplomatic incident.
