ESPN analyst Sarah Spain has ignited controversy after describing U.S. Vice President JD Vance as a ‘demon’ and ‘the Devil’ during her podcast discussion of his presence at the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
Podcast Remarks Spark Outrage
Spain shared her reaction on her podcast ‘Good Game with Sarah Spain’ while covering the women’s hockey game between the United States and Czechia on February 5. She recounted feeling physically ill upon spotting Vance entering the arena with a child, security detail, and Senator Marco Rubio.
‘When I see JD Vance’s eyeliner face, I literally feel ill. I feel like I just looked at a demon, like the Devil,’ Spain stated. ‘And I don’t even believe in that, but my body felt like when you’ve been spooked.’
She noted the Secret Service presence obstructed views of the ice, adding to her frustration during the match.
Further Comments at US-Canada Game
Spain encountered Vance again at a women’s hockey game between the U.S. and Canada, this time accompanied by boxer Jake Paul. ‘He brought a little demon friend, Jake Paul. Talk about only the finest people representing America,’ she remarked.
Her annoyance peaked when press members stood repeatedly to photograph the pair after goals, disrupting the event.
Context of Criticism
Spain’s remarks targeted Vance’s response to the January 24 fatal shooting of protester Alex Pretti by U.S. Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis amid Trump administration deportation policies. She accused Vance of slandering Pretti, who was shot in the back while assisting a woman.
Vance had reposted a statement from White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller labeling Pretti an ‘assassin’ who attempted to murder federal agents.
In an interview, Vance declined to apologize to Pretti’s family. ‘For what?’ he responded. ‘If something is determined that the guy who shot Alex Pretti did something bad, then a lot of consequences are going to flow from that. We’ll let that happen. I don’t think it’s smart to prejudge the investigation.’
Social Media Backlash
Social media erupted with criticism, including calls for ESPN to terminate Spain’s employment. One user posted, ‘ESPN should fire Sarah Spain for posting pictures of VP Vance’s kids. ESPN will likely do nothing.’
Another stated, ‘Sarah Spain, and her ilk, are a huge reason why ESPN has tanked.’ Conservative commentator Clay Travis of Outkick commented, ‘This is not how a mentally healthy or sane person responds to seeing someone they disagree with politically with their kids at a sporting event.’
Replies echoed the sentiment, with users decrying her remarks as hateful and over the line.
Spain’s ESPN Career
An Emmy- and Peabody Award-winning journalist, Spain has contributed to ESPN since 2010, appearing on shows like ‘First Take,’ ‘Around the Horn,’ and ‘The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz.’ She launched ‘Good Game with Sarah Spain’ in July 2024, earning a nomination for Best Sports Podcast at the 2025 Ambies Awards.
