Trump Launches White House Taskforce to Oversee 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

President Trump has established and will chair a federal taskforce to oversee preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, pledging $1 billion in support despite tensions with California leaders.

President Donald Trump has announced the creation of a White House taskforce to coordinate federal efforts for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, a move he says reflects his administration’s full commitment to delivering a secure and successful event on American soil.

The taskforce, established through an executive order signed on Tuesday, will be chaired by Trump himself and include prominent figures such as Senator JD Vance, who will serve as vice-chair. An executive director will be appointed to oversee day-to-day operations. The group will work closely with city, state, and Olympic officials on key areas such as security, transportation infrastructure, visa processing, and credentialing for athletes and media.

Speaking from the White House, Trump hailed the Los Angeles Games as a “wonderful moment for America” and pledged federal support to the tune of $1 billion, already allocated in the latest federal budget for Olympic-related costs. “It’s going to be incredible,” he said. “We’re going to bring the city back stronger than ever.”

The announcement comes amid a tense political relationship between the Trump administration and California leadership, particularly over immigration enforcement and public safety issues. Trump’s remarks included a jab at Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, whom he described as “not very competent,” and he suggested the potential use of the National Guard or military during the Games for security purposes.

Despite these frictions, city officials have expressed optimism about the federal partnership. LA28 Chair Casey Wasserman thanked the president for his “extraordinary” support, stating, “Now with the creation of this taskforce, we’ve unlocked the opportunity to level up our planning and deliver the largest and greatest Games for our nation ever.”

With just three years until the opening ceremony, preparations in Los Angeles are intensifying. The city has faced challenges including financial pressure from natural disaster recovery efforts and ongoing negotiations with the LA28 organising committee regarding the use of public resources and law enforcement.

Meanwhile, Trump used the announcement to reiterate his administration’s policies on sport, including a controversial stance on transgender athletes. “We’re not going to let men steal trophies from women,” he said, adding that the federal government would ensure fair competition standards in line with national values.

The president’s support for the Games aligns with his broader “America First” agenda, projecting the Olympics as a stage to showcase U.S. leadership and athletic excellence. The 2028 Olympics will be the first Summer Games hosted in the United States since Atlanta in 1996.