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Ex-president Trump has yet again declared he would pressure FIFA to relocate upcoming World Cup events from a host city based on that city's political climate, with the Boston region becoming the most recent such city to face such warnings from the US president. Furthermore, Trump indicated he would contemplate parallel steps against LA for the 2028 Olympics due to perceived security concerns.

Legal Authority and Informal Leverage

Even though Trump holds no official jurisdiction to unilaterally remove either tournament, he is able to exert influence the international organizations managing each event to shift host cities.

Background of Comments

His comments were made during a news conference with Argentina's leader Milei, who was visiting the presidential residence following the revelation of a massive bailout for the Argentine country. Toward the conclusion of the event, a journalist questioned Trump about a current unauthorized gathering in the city where authorities were attacked and a cruiser was burned. The journalist also asked if the situation could lead to the removal of hosting duties for the expanded soccer tournament.

“We could take them away,” the former president remarked about the World Cup games, scheduled to be held at Gillette Stadium. “The city's leader is ineffective … they're far-left, and they are taking over areas of downtown. It's a significant assertion, isn't it?”

Street Takeovers and Political Context

Street takeovers, a social media-driven phenomenon where large crowds congregate on public avenues late at night to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have been a repeated nuisance in American cities since the Covid-19 pandemic shutdowns. Latest similar events have become aggressive in Massachusetts, notably in Boston. Yet, these occurrences are generally not regarded as tied to any distinct ideological group.

“When a mayor is failing, and I perceive there’s security risks, I would call the FIFA head, who is phenomenal, and say it should be shifted to a different city,” Trump stated publicly. “He'd do that. He may not enjoy to do it, but he’d do it. Very easily, he would.”

Political Connections

FIFA President has been open his attempts to be closely connected with Trump ahead of the upcoming World Cup, planned to be hosted in multiple US locations across the America along with two in Canada and three in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has been present at various White House events, arranged for Trump present the club tournament cup after the championship match, and has even rescheduled his own organization’s congress to travel with Trump on a trip to the Gulf states this year.

Earlier Warnings

Nevertheless, Trump from warning about the removal of World Cup matches from other US host cities. On September 25, Seattle and San Francisco faced similar comments, with Trump asserting both urban centers were “governed by radical left lunatics who lack understanding what they’re doing,” while challenging the security conditions of both areas and suggesting that events could be shifted.

FIFA Response

FIFA vice-president Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s statements when he commented afterward at a conference in London.

“It’s the organization's event, our responsibility, the organization determines these matters,” Montagliani stated. “With all due respect to current world leaders, football is bigger than any individual and the game will endure their regime and their policies. That’s the essence of this sport, that it is more significant than a single person and more important than individual states.”

Olympics Threat

On Tuesday, Trump’s answer to a inquiry about Boston veered into a similar threat regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“When I thought the city was not adequately ready, I will relocate it to an alternate venue as needed,” he said. “On that one I’d probably have to secure a different kind of consent, but we'd do that.”

The permission Trump refers to would have to come from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Their head, she, was elected to her role in March and has so far not appear together with him, although she stated that she desires a sit-down with the US figure at some point.

Additional Criticism

He also criticized the state's leader Newsom’s management of this year’s blazes, stating that a parallel incident could lead to the relocation of the Olympics.

“In case Newsom doesn’t play ball, we are going to have to be very tough,” he commented.

His message was equally direct for the Massachusetts city.

“Boston should address these issues,” he said. “It's I can say.”