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Donald Trump has repeatedly stated he would influence FIFA to relocate global soccer tournament events from a venue based on municipal politics, with the Boston region becoming the most recent targeted location to receive such threats from the US president. Additionally, Trump indicated he would consider parallel steps against Southern California for the 2028 Olympics due to potential public safety risks.

Official Power and Potential Influence

Although Trump does not have direct legal authority to personally cancel either event, he is able to apply pressure the respective governing bodies managing each competition to move venues.

Background of Comments

His comments were made during a media briefing with Argentinian president Milei, who was at the presidential residence following the announcement of a $20 billion financial assistance for the South American country. Toward the close of the gathering, a journalist questioned Trump about a latest public disturbance in Boston where authorities were targeted and a patrol car was set on fire. The journalist also wondered if such events could cause the revocation of organizing rights for the larger World Cup.

“I would take them away,” Trump stated concerning the World Cup games, scheduled to be staged at the Massachusetts arena. “She is poor … she is far-left, and activists are dominating parts of the city. That is a significant assertion, isn't it?”

Urban Disturbances and Ideological Perceptions

Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven phenomenon where groups of people gather on city streets late at night to perform stunts, have been a ongoing issue in US urban areas since the lockdown restrictions. Current such gatherings have become aggressive in the state, notably in Boston. However, these gatherings are usually not considered linked to any particular partisan agenda.

“In cases where someone is doing a bad job, and I perceive there’s unsafe conditions, I will call the FIFA head, who is excellent, and tell him it should be shifted to a different city,” Trump stated on Tuesday. “He will do that. He wouldn’t love the action, but he’d do it. Very easily, he’d do it.”

Political Connections

Gianni Infantino has made no secret his strategies to be publicly aligned with Trump ahead of next year’s tournament, planned to be hosted in multiple US locations across the US along with two in Canada and multiple in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has appeared at multiple Oval Office events, arranged for Trump present the Club World Cup trophy after the concluding game, and has even postponed his the group's assembly to accompany Trump on a trip to the Gulf states previously.

Past Statements

Despite this, Trump from suggesting the removal of FIFA World Cup events from additional American venues. On September 25, Seattle and San Francisco were comparable comments, with Trump claiming both cities were “led by radical left lunatics who lack understanding what they're managing,” while questioning the public safety of both cities and suggesting that matches could be shifted.

FIFA Response

The organization's deputy Montagliani dismissed Trump’s assertions when he reacted days later at a conference in London.

“It’s our competition, FIFA’s jurisdiction, the organization determines these matters,” Montagliani said. “Respectfully to national heads, the sport is transcends political figures and soccer will survive their administration and their policies. That is the essence of football, that it is transcends a single person and beyond any country.”

Olympics Threat

Similarly, Trump’s reply to a query about the Massachusetts city veered into a comparable warning regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“In case I perceived the city was not going to be sufficiently organized, I'd move it to an alternate venue if I had to,” Trump stated. “For the Olympics I might have to secure a alternative permission, but we would proceed.”

The permission Trump alluded to would must come via the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The president, Kirsty Coventry, was selected to her role in March and has so far not meet publicly with the former president, though she indicated that she hopes for a meeting with Trump at eventually.

Additional Criticism

He also condemned the state's leader Newsom’s handling of this year’s LA wildfires, stating that a comparable scenario could result in the cancellation of the Olympics.

“In case the governor doesn’t play ball, we will have to be very tough,” Trump said.

His message was just as clear for the Massachusetts city.

“Boston better address these issues,” he remarked. “It's my message.”