President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday to form a White House task force that will oversee the federal government’s preparations for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. During the announcement, he shifted focus to one of his most controversial campaign issues—barring transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports.
The new task force mirrors an existing one coordinating efforts for the 2026 World Cup, also hosted by the U.S. It aims to streamline federal planning for the massive Olympic event. But while highlighting the Games’ unifying nature, Trump returned to familiar culture war themes that have defined his political brand.
Early in the event, Trump thanked Gene Sykes, president and chairman of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, for backing a policy update that aligns with the administration’s February executive order, Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports. The update, part of a 27-page policy document released last month, bans transgender women from competing in women’s categories.
“The United States will not let men steal trophies from women at the 2028 Olympics,” Trump said. “So, we appreciate the fairness and everything else that you’ve shown,” he told Sykes.
When a reporter asked whether he would instruct Attorney General Pam Bondi to prosecute transgender athletes competing in women’s sports—particularly in events like women’s boxing—Trump didn’t commit to legal action. Instead, he emphasized the importance of rigorous testing.
“As far as charges, I’d have to ask the attorney general about that. I don’t know, but there will be a very, very strong form of testing,” he said. “And if the test doesn’t come out appropriately, they won’t be in the Olympics.”
The responsibility for this testing lies with international sports governing bodies. Organizations like World Athletics have already introduced one-time genetic testing for female competitors. World Boxing also announced similar measures, citing Algerian boxer Imane Khelif in their initial statement—though they later apologized for naming her.
Khelif, who won gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has long faced scrutiny over her gender. She has consistently affirmed that she is a woman, and Olympic officials confirmed her eligibility. Despite that, Trump and others have repeatedly misgendered her, using her win to bolster their opposition to transgender athletes.
Trump noted that the U.S. Olympic Committee likely would have adopted the ban on its own, without his executive order.
“They probably would have because it just seems to be an issue that most people feel should be,” he said.
He reaffirmed his strong stance on the issue, pointing to it as a cornerstone of his 2024 campaign.
“My campaign was based partially on that,” he added.
Though Trump praised Casey Wasserman, chair of the LA28 organizing committee, he sharply criticized California Democrats like Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. He slammed Newsom’s handling of the state’s wildfire crisis and water policy, and accused Bass of mismanaging the city’s building permit process after recent wildfire damage.
Trump also promised to deploy the National Guard or military to secure the Games if needed. Massive security deployments are standard for the Olympics—Paris, for example, relied on forces from across Europe during its 2024 Games.
“This is going to be so safe, and – if we have to – because obviously you have a mayor that is not very competent,” Trump said.
He named himself chair of the new Olympic task force, with Vice President JD Vance serving as vice chair.
With the Olympics, the World Cup, and the Ryder Cup all taking place in the U.S. during his second term, Trump said these global events showcase America’s strength.
“We’re going to mobilize the entire federal government to ensure the Games are safe, seamless and historically successful,” Trump said. “It’s going to be amazing. America is a nation of champions, and in July 2028 we’ll show the world what America does best—and that’s winning like we’ve never won before.”
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