'I Felt Ill': ESPN Vet Says JD Vance Gave Her 'Demon Energy' at Olympic Hockey Match

At the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, Emmy-winning sports commentator Sarah Spain experienced a moment she will not soon forget. She was sitting near US Vice President JD Vance during a women's hockey match when something about his presence made her physically uneasy.

On her Good Game podcast, Spain described it as feeling like 'demon energy.' It also left her feeling sick and off-balance. The episode aired on Feb. 6 and quickly drew attention across social media and conservative outlets.

'Demon' Energy or Political Presence?

Spain recounted the experience with striking detail. 'Twelve minutes into the first period, that area suddenly is awash with large men in suits with earpieces. And here comes JD Vance carrying a child and a bunch of security, and eventually Marco Rubio.'

Sitting close to Vance — and Secretary of State Marco Rubio — she said she felt a tingle of dread, as if danger were nearby. 'When I see JD Vance's eyeliner face, I literally feel ill,' she said.

It was not just political distaste, she emphasised; it was a gut-level, instinctive reaction. She described the feeling almost as if she were in the presence of a malevolent force — an exaggeration, perhaps, but one that painted a vivid picture of her discomfort.

Spain's words — 'demon energy' — quickly went viral, raising the question of whether it was truly supernatural vibes or merely politics in a high-pressure setting. Vance was attending the Games officially and had been involved in US policies, including controversial immigration measures. His high profile made him impossible to ignore.

Spain likened her reaction to noticing that something was about to go wrong. 'I feel like I just looked at a demon, like the devil, and I don't even believe in that,' she said.

Politicians at Sporting Events: Not Always Welcome

Spain is not the first to feel uneasy with politics invading sport. During the Milan-Cortina Games, Vance's appearances drew boos and reportedly disrupted routines.

Several officials noted subtle tension in the stands and behind the scenes, with some team members feeling that their routines were affected. Competitors reportedly felt constrained in their freedom to express themselves, a subtle reminder that political eyes were watching.

Her podcast reminded listeners that political figures are not neutral observers. But Spain is not the first to call Vance the 'devil.' Social media did so, particularly when the late Pope Francis died shortly after meeting him. While clearly a joke, her comments left a bad taste among Vance's supporters.

Spain Blasted for Her Comments

Social media quickly lit up with criticism after her podcast aired. Many said her description of Vance as 'demon energy' was over the top, even unhinged. Some accused her of turning a simple Olympic moment into a personal attack.

Others called her remarks obsessive, claiming a normal family interaction should not trigger such extreme language. 'Calling JD Vance a "demon" on your podcast because your "body felt dangerous" from watching him hug his own kid at the Olympics? That's deranged, obsessive, and psychotic,' one comment said.

Critics argued she was mixing journalism with personal bias, letting her political views colour a sports event. Some said it made her look unprofessional. Mainly, they questioned how a commentator could frame a father hugging his child as threatening. Even people who disagreed with Vance politically felt her description crossed a line.

For Vance's supporters, the comments did not land as humour — they felt like an attack. A commenter summed up the whole thread of reactions by saying, 'I don't like liberal policies at all...but I would never act like this if I saw AOC or Kamala or Biden somewhere.'