Trump and Epstein: US politics takes centre stage once again at Winter Olympics

Donald Trump and the Epstein Files were the topic of conversation at the latest Olympic briefing at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics. SportMilano Cortina 2026Trump and Epstein: US politics takes centre stage once again at Winter OlympicsBy Jake Niall February 19, 2026 — 11.07amSaveLog in, register or subscribe to save articles for later.Save articles for laterAdd articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.Got itNormal text sizeLarger text sizeVery large text sizeAdvertisementEvery Event. Every Medal in 4K.Watch live & on demand.Stream nowMilan: The Milano Cortina Olympics continues to be stalked by the cauldron of American politics, with the Epstein files and speculation of a visit by US president Donald Trump providing further distractions for the organisers.On Wednesday, as the International Olympic Committee spruiked its huge audience numbers, the IOC again bypassed whether the chair of the next Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, entertainment and sports executive Casey Wasserman, should step down from his position because of his presence in the US government’s redacted version of the (Jeffrey) Epstein files.Chairman of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics Casey Wasserman.Credit: APThe mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, called for Wasserman to step down as chair of LA28 late on Monday. IOC chief spokesman Mark Adams told media that Wasserman’s position was, at this stage, “primarily a matter for the board of LA 2028”, which had instigated a lawyer-led investigation of Wasserman’s conduct.LA28’s investigation found that he should remain as chair.Adams commented further to this masthead: “They’ve [LA 2028 board] drawn the conclusions from that, that’s available, they’ve made their comments about that. I understand there are lots of conversations going on there at the moment. But at this stage, this is a discussion for them.”The IOC was focusing on the last three days of competition, but the IOC spokesman suggested it could be addressed post-Olympics. “Yeah, I’m sure there will be other discussions and other comments will be made, but at this stage, it is a matter for LA28.”International Olympic Committee spokesperson Mark Adams.Credit: Getty ImagesWasserman’s email exchanges with Epstein’s former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell were published in the official release by the US government only days before the opening ceremony of Milano Cortina 2026, placing pressure on the IOC to respond.In one communication, the then-married Wasserman told Maxwell: “I think of you all the time. So, what do I have to do to see you in a tight leather outfit?”AdvertisementMaxwell’s response included an offer to give him a massage that can “drive a man wild”. “All that rubbing – are you sure you can take it? The thought frankly is leaving me a little breathless.”Wasserman, a leading Hollywood talent agent for Coldplay, Ed Sheeran and Kendrick Lamar, among others, is selling his business since the communications were released amid defections of dozens of musicians and performers from the agency, including pop superstar Chappell Roan.But the LA28 board’s probe found that Wasserman’s relationship with Epstein and Maxwell “did not go past what has been already documented,” concluding that, “based on these facts, as well as the strong leadership he has exhibited over the past 10 years, Mr Wasserman should continue to lead LA28.”This intrusion of the scandal that has engulfed America coincided with media speculation about Trump coming to Milan to attend the men’s ice hockey final if Team USA qualifies.The USA is favoured to confront Canada, in a game that will draw massive interest given the National Hockey League superstars on both sides, the nations’ ferocious rivalry on the ice and recent political tensions. Both the US and Canada survived in overtime against Sweden (2-1) and Czechia (4-3) respectively. The US will meet Slovakia, with Canada facing Finland in the semis.An official from the USA Olympics and Paralympics Committee told this masthead that they did not know if Trump – who went to the Team USA locker room for last year’s combative four-nations series – was turning up for Sunday’s final, should the US make it.There are whispers US President Donald Trump could attend the Olympic hockey final if the USA qualify. Credit: AP“We’ve not been given any notice,” said the US Olympics official. Canadian officials had sounded out their American counterparts if they knew anything about a Trump visit for the final.A visit by Trump would create require major logistical operations, given the security requirements, at the ice hockey stadium in Milan.Trump’s appearance at the men’s tennis final of the US Open in New York last year forced a delay in the match, as thousands of spectators were held up by security checks and many seats were empty when the match started.The security arrangements would be handled by the governments of Italy and the US, but would also require coordination with Milano Cortina 2026 and the IOC.Donald Trump at the US Open in New York last year.Credit: APOn the face of it, a Trump visit to Milan for the ice hockey would be surprising because th