A columnist from the Los Angeles Times urged Los Angeles to reconsider its plan to host the 2028 Olympics, citing concerns over President Trump’s potential influence on the event to promote his agenda on the global stage.
Gustavo Arellano pointed out Trump’s position in the 2028 Summer Olympics Task Force as a primary concern.
Arellano expressed that having Trump as the head of this committee felt like handing the city a “huge, hu-peak cushion.”
The columnist also critiqued other Trump officials involved in the Olympics planning in Los Angeles.
“Next to Trump is the La Harter team, many of whom played significant roles in the summer deportations affecting Southern California. I noted it in my column. He was introduced as an ‘MVP candidate’ during the press conference, but it was Deputy Director Stephen Miller, who seems intent on diminishing the multicultural essence of his native area,” he wrote.
Arellano also directed comments regarding Organizing Committee Chair Kathy Wasserman for her association with Trump.
“I haven’t seen such sycophancy since I cleaned my dad’s pool,” he remarked. “You won’t catch me trusting someone like Wasserman—what exactly did he do to earn his position with LA28?”
He acknowledged that the federal government generally plays a role in hosting the Olympics, yet he emphasized that Trump’s involvement amplifies the complications.
“The federal government is supposed to ensure security for the 2028 Olympics, but, like past events in the U.S., this raises concerns about oversight. With the Olympics coinciding with the presidential election year, Trump’s presence feels more invasive, and LA has already undergone significant changes due to his policies,” he wrote.
Arellano then employed Spanish slang for immigration officers to illustrate his worries about Trump’s private forces.
“I refuse to fund something Trump uses to enhance his damaging legacy. While he may not cheer for Wasserman, his tactics have been affecting LA for quite some time,” he stated.
He added, “I don’t want to support events where images of a distressed LA might overshadow the Coliseum or badminton.”
The White House reacted to the contentious opinion piece on Thursday.
“It’s unfortunate that columnists from the LA Times are engaging in what’s referred to as Trump’s chaos syndrome, which could jeopardize unifying events like the Olympics expected to generate $18 billion in economic activity. President Trump, as the head of the White House Olympic Task Force, will showcase everything that exemplifies the greatness of America,” they declared.
The 2028 Summer Olympics are scheduled for July 14 to 30.
