Trump Could Ruin 2028 Olympics with 'Tacky MAGA Horror Show'

Political analyst warns Trump may use final year in office to put his MAGA stamp on the Los Angeles Games.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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According to a Slate columnist, Donald Trump could use the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles as a platform to stage a 'tacky MAGA horror show' in the final year of his presidency. The analyst suggests Trump may go out of his way to ensure the Olympics reflect his own image, potentially exacerbating financial strains on the event due to unpaid U.S. debts to the United Nations.

Why it matters

The 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles will be a high-profile global event, and the prospect of Trump using it to promote his 'MAGA' agenda has raised concerns about the potential politicization and commercialization of the Games. There are also worries that U.S. financial issues could undermine the Olympic festivities.

The details

The columnist argues that with both the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics set to take place in the U.S., Trump could see these events as an opportunity to showcase his 'MAGA' brand on the world stage. The analyst suggests Trump may go 'out of his way to ensure that those Olympics are a tacky MAGA horror show made in his own image.' Financial strains could also be a factor, with the U.N. announcing it is on the brink of insolvency due to unpaid U.S. debts that could potentially lead to the collapse of the International Olympic Committee.

  • The 2028 Olympic Games will be held in Los Angeles.
  • The 2026 World Cup will also take place in the U.S.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who the analyst believes may try to use the 2028 Olympics to promote his 'MAGA' agenda.

Justin Peters

A columnist for Slate who has analyzed the potential for Trump to disrupt the 2028 Olympics.

United Nations

The international organization that has announced it is on the brink of insolvency due to unpaid U.S. debts, which could potentially impact the International Olympic Committee.

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What they’re saying

“What I'm saying is that Donald Trump probably can't ruin the Olympics—or at least he can't ruin these Olympics.”

— Justin Peters, Columnist (Slate)

“Once the 2026 Winter Games conclude, the global sporteaucracy will set its sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Games, which will be held in the final year of Trump's second presidential term. There is every reason to think that Trump will go out of his way to ensure that those Olympics are a tacky MAGA horror show made in his own image.”

— Justin Peters, Columnist (Slate)

What’s next

The International Olympic Committee and Los Angeles organizers will need to closely monitor the political landscape and potential financial challenges in the lead-up to the 2028 Games to ensure the event remains focused on athletic competition and sportsmanship rather than partisan politics.

The takeaway

The prospect of Donald Trump using the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles as a platform to promote his 'MAGA' agenda has raised concerns about the potential politicization and commercialization of the Games. This highlights the delicate balance between politics and international sporting events, and the need for organizers to maintain the integrity and neutrality of the Olympics.