Why the Olympics won’t have a Balogate
Politics — 2026-07-10 17:15:00 — www.politico.com
Trump Claims Sole Credit for Olympics and World Cup as White House Intervention in Global Sports Raises Eyebrows
President Donald Trump has once again placed himself at the center of the world’s biggest sporting events, asserting, “The beautiful thing about what I did is I ran [for president again]. I never thought of it, and then all of a sudden I realized, you know, I just got the Olympics, and I totally got that myself, and I just got FIFA. I got that myself.”
This bold claim comes as Trump’s direct involvement in international sports governance has drawn renewed scrutiny. His recent call to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, urging a review of U.S. striker Folarin Balogun’s red card, has thrust the intersection of politics and global sport into the spotlight. Trump’s interventionist approach stands in stark contrast to the more measured stance adopted by Olympic officials as Los Angeles prepares to host the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Fact-Checking Trump’s Claims
Trump’s assertion that he alone secured the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup for the United States exaggerates the reality. The decisions to award these events to the U.S. were the result of years-long bids and collaborative efforts involving multiple stakeholders, including local organizing committees, city officials, and international sports bodies. While Trump’s administration supported these bids, the notion that he “totally got that myself” is not supported by the facts.
White House and FIFA: A Close Relationship
Trump’s involvement with FIFA has been unusually close, with Infantino frequently appearing at Trump’s side and even creating FIFA’s first-ever Peace Prize to award to the president. This level of public praise and engagement is a sharp contrast to the approach taken by Olympic organizers, who have kept more distance from the White House.
Olympic Officials Chart a Different Course
Unlike FIFA, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the LA28 organizing committee have maintained a more independent posture. IOC President Kirsty Coventry has not appeared publicly alongside Trump, and LA28 chair Casey Wasserman has managed the relationship with the White House in a low-profile manner. Behind the scenes, however, cooperation continues, including logistical planning and visa facilitation for Olympic athletes and staff.
Conclusion
President Trump’s repeated efforts to claim sole credit for bringing the Olympics and World Cup to the United States misrepresent the collaborative nature of these achievements. His interventionist tactics and public statements continue to blur the lines between politics and global sport, raising important questions about the future of international sporting events under an administration eager to take center stage. As the world looks ahead to the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics, the dynamics between sports organizations and the White House will remain under close watch.