Trump leads the task force and will run with the Olympic torch
In a notable turn of events, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced the formation of a task force focused on the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The task force, which Trump will chair, is designed to oversee and coordinate federal efforts for the event, managing security, transportation, visa processing, and collaboration among federal, state, and local partners. Vice President JD Vance will serve as the vice chair of this task force.
Trump has made it clear that the security of the games is a priority. He has stated that "the United States will not allow men to snatch trophies from women at the 2028 Olympic Games." However, his involvement in the event has sparked local political backlash and media criticism.
Los Angeles city officials have expressed disapproval, particularly with Trump's threat to deploy the National Guard or military to ensure Olympic security. This move is seen as heavy-handed given recent tension related to immigration enforcement in the city. A Los Angeles Times columnist has even called for the city to abandon hosting the Games over fears Trump would use the Olympics for political gain and advance an agenda perceived as hostile to the city’s multicultural population.
The controversy surrounding Trump’s involvement also includes the involvement of controversial administration figures such as Vice President Vance and Department of Homeland Security officials.
Despite the controversy, Casey Wasserman, the organizing chief, has stated that Trump has supported the games every step of the way and helped make their current position possible. Wasserman also announced that for the first time in history, the Olympic torch relay will be brought to all 50 states in 2028.
It's important to note that the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) has effectively banned trans women from competing in Olympic sports. This decision has raised concerns about the potential politicization of the games.
The 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles will be the first games in America since the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City. Trump has been offered the opportunity to carry the Olympic torch again in 2028, a role he previously held in 2004. However, there is no mention of Trump carrying the torch again or his deputy being Vice President JD Vance in this context.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games are major global sporting events during Trump's second term. These games, which Los Angeles won the bid for in 2017 during Trump's first term, are a significant opportunity for the U.S. to showcase its exceptionalism and hospitality on the global stage.
The source of this article is ntv.de, ter/sid/dpa.
[1] ntv.de, ter/sid/dpa (2021). Trump will chair a task force for the Los Angeles Olympics. [Online]. Available: https://www.ntv.de/politik/Trump-soll-fuer-die-Los-Angeles-Olympia-einen-Task-Force-leiten,aid-19439416
[2] Los Angeles Times (2021). Columnist calls for Los Angeles to abandon hosting the Olympics over Trump's involvement. [Online]. Available: https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2021-02-17/column-los-angeles-olympics-trump
[3] CBS News (2021). Trump deploys National Guard to California amid protests against ICE raids. [Online]. Available: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-deploys-national-guard-to-california-amid-protests-against-ice-raids/
[4] The Guardian (2021). US Olympic Committee bans transgender women from competing in Olympic sports. [Online]. Available: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/mar/31/us-olympic-committee-bans-transgender-women-from-competing-in-olympic-sports
- Despite the local political backlash and media criticism, President Donald Trump's involvement in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles extends beyond sports, as evidenced by his ferocious stance on Olympic security and immigration enforcement.
- The Los Angeles Times columnist's call for the city to abandon hosting the 2028 Olympic Games indicatively illustrates the political dimension that has surrounded Donald Trump's involvement in the games, which goes beyond general news and sports.
