The LA28 Olympic organizing committee has quietly added several high-profile Republican figures with deep ties to former President Donald Trump to its board of directors, expanding the political diversity of the group responsible for bringing the 2028 Summer Olympics to Los Angeles.
The committee’s updated 35-member volunteer board now includes former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a Bakersfield Republican who resigned from Congress in 2023, and Reince Priebus, who served as Trump’s first White House chief of staff and previously chaired the Republican National Committee.
The additions come as LA28 finalizes major decisions surrounding venue planning, security coordination, transportation upgrades, and overall event readiness for one of the largest global sporting events in U.S. history. For background on national Olympic governance, see United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee.
A Quiet but Significant Shift Inside the LA28 Leadership Team
The new appointments were not publicly announced by LA28 but appeared in an online update to the committee’s official board roster. Their inclusion represents the most visible involvement yet from Trump-aligned Republican leaders inside the upper structure of the Olympic planning effort.
McCarthy’s appointment places one of California’s most recognizable Republican figures at the heart of Olympic preparations. Priebus’ role brings additional national-level political experience and long-standing federal connections to the committee’s strategic oversight.
The board works closely with LA28 Chairman Casey Wasserman, who has been a central figure in negotiations with the White House and federal agencies. Wasserman previously appeared with President Trump during the signing of the executive order supporting the 2028 Games.
What the Additions Mean for LA28’s Political Landscape
The LA28 board—made up of leaders from sports, government, business, and entertainment—traditionally includes members from both political parties. But the newest additions reflect a notable expansion of Republican influence within the Olympic planning environment, which has historically leaned more bipartisan or Democratic in California.
The appointments come as LA28 faces increasing scrutiny over transportation spending, public safety planning, venue renovation timelines, labor negotiations, and community impact—issues that often cross political boundaries.
McCarthy and Priebus join the committee during a period of:
- Rising political attention on Olympic-related public spending
- Major infrastructure projects such as LAX Terminal 5 reconstruction
- Heightened security coordination with federal partners
- Public pressure for transparency ahead of the 2028 Games
The Road to the 2028 Olympics: What’s Next for LA28
With less than three years before the opening ceremony, LA28 is managing dozens of major planning efforts, including finalizing venue assignments across Los Angeles, Inglewood, Pasadena, and Long Beach.
Recent developments tied to the Games include:
- Publication of LA28’s full competition schedule
- Major renovations to Los Angeles International Airport
- Ongoing debates over official Olympic sponsorships
- Community discussions around transportation and access
- Local labor groups pressuring organizers on contract and partnership decisions
The addition of McCarthy and Priebus signals that LA28 is preparing for a broader political coalition as planning intensifies—and as the committee seeks cooperation from federal agencies, state officials, and local governments.
For national Olympic planning precedents, see the International Olympic Committee.
