Milan is bracing for a potential visit from U.S. President Donald Trump during the final week of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, contingent on the U.S. Men’s national hockey team reaching the gold medal game. Security preparations are already underway, building on measures implemented for recent visits by Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
According to sources, the White House is considering a brief, focused trip for the President should Team USA advance. The plan, as it stands, would involve Trump attending the ice hockey final at the Santa Giulia arena and potentially the closing ceremony at the Verona Arena. Officials in both Washington and Italy have begun discussing security arrangements for the visit, which is expected to be short in duration.
The potential visit comes as the Winter Olympics enter their final stretch, with the closing ceremony scheduled for February 22nd at the Verona Arena. The U.S. Men’s hockey team recently secured a decisive 5-1 victory over Germany in their final group stage match and are awaiting their quarterfinal opponent – either Sweden or Latvia. Both the U.S. And Canada are considered favorites to contend for the gold medal.
Italian authorities are prioritizing a streamlined security operation for a potential presidential visit, aiming to avoid the extensive logistical challenges posed by previous high-profile arrivals. The prefecture and police headquarters have already been actively preparing, leveraging the security infrastructure established during the visits of Vice President Harris and her family, as well as Secretary Blinken. The goal is to minimize disruption to the city while ensuring the President’s safety.
The anticipated itinerary suggests a swift arrival at the Santa Giulia arena for the hockey final, followed by a transfer to Verona for the closing ceremony. You’ll see currently no plans for additional engagements, such as lunches, tours, or overnight stays. This contrasts with the more extensive schedule undertaken by Vice President Harris during her visit.
A final decision regarding Trump’s travel plans is expected on Friday evening, following the conclusion of the quarterfinal matches and the confirmation of the teams competing for the hockey gold medal. Should Team USA advance, the President’s arrival could potentially be moved forward to Saturday, February 21st, though a definitive timeline remains uncertain. The Gallia hotel, previously used by Vice President Harris, is being considered as a potential accommodation should an overnight stay become necessary.
The security apparatus, already tested by recent high-level visits, is expected to be scaled up further for a presidential arrival. While the exact number of vehicles involved in the Vice President’s security detail was 45, the President’s security contingent is anticipated to be even larger. However, the limited scope of the planned visit – focused solely on the hockey final and closing ceremony – should help to contain the logistical impact on the city.
The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics have already seen protests, including demonstrations against ICE organized by students. The Italian government has implemented a comprehensive security operation, relying on Joint Police Operations Centers to manage security throughout the event. The potential arrival of the U.S. President adds another layer of complexity to an already robust security plan.
As the Games move towards their conclusion, all eyes are on the U.S. Men’s hockey team and the possibility of a gold medal showdown. The prospect of President Trump attending the final has added an unexpected dimension to the event, prompting heightened security preparations and logistical planning in both Milan and Verona.
