The incoming President Donald Trump has stated his enthusiastic support for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, despite some of his prominent supporters suggesting the event should be moved as a form of retribution against their political opponents.
On Tuesday, Axios reported that Trump assured Casey Wasserman, the chair and president of the LA28 organizing committee, that he would provide his full support for the event in Los Angeles.
“These are the Olympics of America,” he mentioned to Wasserman during a meeting at his Mar-a-Lago residence. “Their significance for L.A. is greater than ever, and I am dedicated to helping ensure they are the best games possible.”
According to Axios, Trump was accompanied by his spouse Melania and filmmaker Brett Ratner, who is working on a documentary regarding her life.
In contrast, the president-elect’s reiteration of his commitment to hosting the Olympics in L.A. stands in opposition to the views of two of his close allies.
Following the devastating wildfires affecting parts of the city, GOP Representative Jim Jordan (OH) affirmed in response to a television interview that Trump should consider relocating the Olympics to a “red city where operations are more competent.”
Charlie Kirk, a MAGA political activist and leader of a key conservative nonprofit involved in motivating Republican voters, echoed these thoughts on social media, suggesting that the Games should take place in Dallas or Miami instead.
Trump’s endorsement of the Los Angeles Olympics dates back to his initial term, during which he tweeted with enthusiasm about “working hard to secure the Olympics for the United States (L.A.).”
A long-time sports enthusiast, Trump has hosted numerous high-profile boxing and mixed martial arts events at his properties. Additionally, Los Angeles is home to one of his 18 active golf courses.
“I have a passion for sports,” he shared with Parade magazine ahead of the 2012 London Olympics. “There are so many sports that you might overlook, yet they have incredible athletes.”
Trump has expressed admiration for various American Olympians, including former tennis champion Serena Williams, whom he called “remarkable,” as well as the gold medal-winning U.S. women’s national ice hockey team from 2018.
