President Trump Announces Presidential Delegation to Turin, Italy to attend the Opening Ceremony of the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games

March 6, 2025

Briefings & Statements

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Action Summary

Event Details: Designation of a Presidential Delegation to attend the Opening Ceremony of the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy on March 7, 2025.
Leadership: The delegation is led by Mrs. Usha Vance, Second Lady of the United States.
Delegation Members: Included members are Mr. Shawn Crowley (Chargé d’Affaires a.i. at the U.S. Embassy to Italy and San Marino), T.H. Trent Michael Morse (Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Presidential Personnel), Mr. Riley M. Barnes (Senior Bureau Official, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor), Mr. Douglass Benning (Consul General, U.S. Consulate Milan), Mrs. Rachel Campos-Duffy (FOX News Host and wife of the U.S. Secretary of Transportation), Mr. Boris Epshteyn (Senior Counsel and Senior Advisor to President Trump), and Mr. Richard Walters (Partner at FGS Global).
Announcement: President Donald J. Trump officially announced the delegation on March 6, 2025.

Risks & Considerations

The announcement of a Presidential Delegation to the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy, primarily represents a ceremonial and diplomatic engagement. It does not directly impact Vanderbilt University or its operations.
While the delegation includes notable figures, their participation in this event is unlikely to have significant implications for the university’s strategic planning or policy considerations.
There is no indication of policy changes or executive actions associated with this delegation that would affect higher education institutions or their programs.

Impacted Programs

No specific programs at Vanderbilt University are directly impacted by this announcement. The event is primarily a diplomatic and ceremonial occasion.

Financial Impact

There is no financial impact on Vanderbilt University associated with this announcement, as it pertains to a diplomatic event rather than policy or funding changes.

Relevance Score: 1 (The announcement has no impact or very little impact on the university.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s Office of International Affairs should monitor the activities and outcomes of the Presidential Delegation to the Special Olympics World Winter Games. Understanding the diplomatic and cultural exchanges that occur during such international events can provide insights into potential collaborations and partnerships with international institutions.
The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center could explore opportunities to engage with the Special Olympics community, leveraging its expertise in developmental disabilities to support athletes and programs. This engagement could enhance Vanderbilt’s reputation in the field of disability research and advocacy.
Vanderbilt’s Department of Human and Organizational Development should consider studying the organizational and logistical aspects of large-scale international events like the Special Olympics. This research could inform best practices in event management and international cooperation.

Opportunities

The event presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Sports Medicine Program to collaborate with international sports organizations in providing medical support and research on athlete health and performance. This could lead to joint research initiatives and enhance the program’s global presence.
By engaging with the Special Olympics community, Vanderbilt can position itself as a leader in promoting inclusivity and diversity in sports. Hosting events or workshops on campus related to the Special Olympics could further establish Vanderbilt as a hub for inclusive sports education and research.

Relevance Score: 2 (The delegation’s activities may require minor updates to processes related to international collaboration and inclusivity initiatives.)

Average Relevance Score: 2.4

Timeline for Implementation

March 7, 2025 – The Presidential Delegation is scheduled to attend the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics World Winter Games.

Relevance Score: 5

Impacted Government Organizations

U.S. Department of State – Embassy to Italy and San Marino: Represented by Mr. Shawn Crowley (Chargé d’Affaires a.i.), this entity underscores the role of the Department of State in diplomatic outreach abroad.
U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor: With Mr. Riley M. Barnes as a senior bureau official, this bureau’s participation highlights its involvement in promoting human rights and international engagement.
U.S. Consulate, Milan, Italy: Led by Consul General Mr. Douglass Benning, the consulate’s inclusion stresses localized diplomatic efforts in Italy.
The Office of the President (Presidential Personnel): Involving top advisors and officials such as Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Counsel, this reflects direct executive engagement in the delegation process.

Relevance Score: 2 (A small number of Federal entities are impacted by the delegation announcement.)

Responsible Officials

Mrs. Usha Vance – As Second Lady, she leads the Presidential Delegation and is responsible for representing the United States at the event.
Mr. Shawn Crowley – Chargé d’Affaires a.i. at the U.S. Embassy to Italy and San Marino, tasked with supporting diplomatic representation.
T.H. Trent Michael Morse – Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Presidential Personnel, involved in the delegation’s staffing and coordination.
Mr. Riley M. Barnes – Senior Bureau Official of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor at the U.S. Department of State, contributing expertise on policy and international representation.
Mr. Douglass Benning – Consul General of the U.S. Consulate in Milan, Italy, responsible for consular and diplomatic duties in the region.
Mrs. Rachel Campos-Duffy – Appointed for her public presence and connection to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, representing a media and public affairs element.
Mr. Boris Epshteyn – Senior Counsel and Senior Advisor to the President, offering legal and strategic counsel during the delegation’s activities.
Mr. Richard Walters – Partner at FGS Global, serving in a role that supports the delegation’s engagement with international partners.

Relevance Score: 2 (The directive primarily concerns a ceremonial delegation attendance, affecting mid-level management and representatives rather than high-level policy implementation.)