Washington Post BUSTED Twisting Coach’s Quote Into Crisis

The Washington Post and Daily Beast turned Vice President JD Vance’s motorcade into a scandal claiming it nearly cost a U.S. figure skater her Olympic medal—except Alysa Liu not only competed, she earned silver and helped Team USA take the lead.

Story Snapshot

Media blamed Vance’s motorcade for nearly causing skater Alysa Liu to miss her event, though she placed second and Team USA leads
Coach’s “almost didn’t make it” quote to Washington Post amplified by outlets into accusations of negligence despite successful performance
Daily Beast framed standard VP security detail as “lavish” disruption, tying it to anti-Trump sentiment in Italy over ICE presence
Story contradicts itself: Liu achieved strong results despite alleged chaos, undermining claims Vance “ruined gold-medal dreams”

Media Manufactures Crisis From Routine Security

Vice President JD Vance’s motorcade at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics became the target of sensationalized reporting from legacy media outlets desperate to blame the Trump administration for any perceived disruption. The Washington Post and Daily Beast claimed Vance’s security detail blocked parking lot access at Milano skating arena, nearly preventing U.S. figure skater Alysa Liu from competing in her Friday short program. Coach Phillip DiGuglielmo told the Post “We almost didn’t make it,” a quote outlets weaponized into headlines suggesting Vance’s presence jeopardized American medal hopes. Yet Liu competed on schedule, earned second place behind Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto, and helped Team USA secure a two-point lead in the team event.

Standard Delegation Portrayed As Excessive Indulgence

The Daily Beast described Vance’s security arrangements as “lavish” and accused his motorcade of “wreaking havoc” on Milan’s streets, framing routine vice presidential protection as unnecessary extravagance. The U.S. delegation arrived with 14 planes transporting staff, security personnel, food supplies, and approximately 100 vehicles including dozens of Chevy Suburbans necessary for secure transport in a foreign nation. This standard security protocol for protecting the second-highest U.S. official became fodder for criticism, with outlets emphasizing vehicles’ size relative to Milan’s narrow streets. The characterization ignores established security requirements for vice presidents abroad, particularly at high-profile international events where threats against American officials remain elevated. No White House or Vance response addressed the accusations, likely recognizing the manufactured nature of the controversy.

Anti-Trump Bias Drives Narrative Construction

Media coverage tied the motorcade story to broader anti-Trump sentiment in Italy, where protests erupted over DHS confirmation that ICE agents would provide security at the Olympics. Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala called ICE “a militia that kills” and declared agents unwelcome, referencing controversial U.S. domestic operations. The Daily Beast connected Vance’s past defenses of ICE agents and immigration rhetoric to Italian backlash, suggesting his presence embarrassed the U.S. delegation after he and wife Usha were booed at Thursday’s Opening Ceremony. The IOC even urged fans to avoid booing Vance, highlighting heightened tensions. Yet this context reveals the story’s true purpose: leveraging a minor logistical issue to amplify criticism of Trump administration immigration enforcement policies on an international stage.

Facts Undermine Sensational Claims

The fundamental flaw in media coverage lies in its contradiction: Liu successfully competed and performed well despite the alleged disruption. The coach’s single quote became the entire foundation for claims Vance “almost ruined” medal dreams, yet Team USA leads the skating event with Liu’s silver contributing critical points. No statement from Liu herself confirms distress or blame toward the motorcade. The Daily Beast’s language—”ruined gold-medal dreams”—proves particularly dishonest given Liu’s strong second-place finish. Standard security measures for a vice president became a scandal because outlets needed content reinforcing their preferred narrative about Trump administration incompetence and arrogance abroad. This manipulation exemplifies why Americans increasingly distrust legacy media outlets owned by billionaires like Jeff Bezos, whose Washington Post originated the coach’s quote that fueled partisan amplification.