Pro-Ukraine protests erupted across major US cities, including New York, Los Angeles, and Boston, following a heated exchange between President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House.
Demonstrators gathered in support of Ukraine, holding signs condemning Trump’s stance on the war and urging continued US military aid. Protesters also took to the streets in Waitsfield, Vermont, where Vice President Vance and his family were visiting for a ski holiday. The protests reportedly led the family to relocate to an undisclosed location.
The Vermont protest had been planned before the Trump-Zelensky clash, but many participants used the event to highlight their outrage over Trump’s comments. During the White House meeting, Trump told Zelensky to “make a deal with Russia or we are out,” sparking concerns over his administration’s commitment to Ukraine. Vice President Vance further escalated tensions by accusing Zelensky of being “disrespectful” and “litigating” the situation in front of the media.
Local activist Judy Daly, a member of Indivisible Mad River Valley, stated that the protests gained momentum after the Oval Office incident. “I think [Friday’s] performance at the White House has probably galvanized even more people to come out today,” she told Vermont Public Radio. Protester Cori Giroux added, “[Vance] crossed the line.”
Vermont Governor Phil Scott, a Republican who has distanced himself from Trump, urged Vermonters to be respectful of the Vice President and his family. “While we may not always agree, we should be respectful,” he said.
Meanwhile, counter-protesters supporting Trump and Vance also gathered in Waitsfield, signaling deep divisions in the US over its role in the Ukraine conflict.
Beyond political tensions, protests were also staged outside Tesla stores nationwide. Demonstrators opposed Elon Musk’s push to slash government spending, a move linked to his new role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) under Trump’s administration.
Zelensky is set to meet European leaders in London on Sunday, where UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will host a summit on the Ukraine war. In a show of continued support, UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves signed a £2.26bn ($2.84bn) loan agreement with Ukraine to aid its military and reconstruction efforts.
