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Donald Trump has repeatedly announced he would influence FIFA to remove global soccer tournament matches from a host city based on that city's political climate, with Boston now being the most recent such city to face such statements from the US president. Furthermore, Trump indicated he would consider comparable measures against Southern California for the 2028 Olympics due to perceived public safety risks.

Official Power and Informal Leverage

Although Trump does not have formal power to unilaterally remove either tournament, he is able to apply pressure the international organizations managing each competition to change venues.

Background of Comments

His remarks were made during a news conference with Argentinian president Milei, who was at the White House following the announcement of a multibillion-dollar rescue package for the Latin American country. Toward the conclusion of the event, a reporter asked Trump about a latest “street takeover” in Boston where authorities were assaulted and a patrol car was ignited. The reporter also questioned if such events could cause the removal of hosting duties for the 48-team football competition.

“We could take them away,” the former president stated regarding the World Cup fixtures, scheduled to be hosted at the Massachusetts arena. “The city's leader is poor … she is far-left, and activists are taking over sections of the city. That’s a major assertion, don't you think?”

Public Gatherings and Public Safety Concerns

Public disruptions, a social media-driven phenomenon where large crowds assemble on public avenues after dark to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have been a repeated issue in metropolitan centers since the coronavirus restrictions. Recent such gatherings have become aggressive in the state, specifically in downtown. Nevertheless, these gatherings are generally not considered linked to any particular ideological group.

“When a mayor is failing, and I feel exist unsafe conditions, I would call Gianni [Infantino], who is excellent, and tell him let’s move it to another location,” Trump stated on Tuesday. “He'd do that. He wouldn’t love doing it, but he'd agree. Without hesitation, he would.”

FIFA Relationship

Gianni Infantino has made no secret his efforts to be closely connected with the US leader before next year’s tournament, planned to be staged in 11 cities across the America along with two in the northern neighbor and a few in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has participated at several White House events, facilitated Trump present the FIFA club trophy after the concluding game, and has even postponed his own organization’s congress to travel with Trump on a journey to the Gulf states this year.

Earlier Warnings

This has not stopped, Trump from warning about the cancellation of soccer matches from additional American venues. In late September, Seattle and San Francisco were comparable statements, with Trump stating both cities were “led by far-left extremists who are clueless what they're managing,” while criticizing the public safety of both cities and suggesting that matches could be removed.

Organizational Statement

The organization's deputy Montagliani dismissed Trump’s assertions when he commented subsequently at a conference in London.

“It is our competition, our responsibility, the organization determines such choices,” the vice-president stated. “With all due respect to current world leaders, the sport is bigger than them and the game will survive their tenure and their policies. It's the beauty of this sport, that it is transcends a single person and bigger than a nation.”

LA Games Warning

Similarly, Trump’s reply to a query about Boston included a similar threat regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“When I perceived LA was not adequately ready, I'd move it to an alternate venue if I had to,” he remarked. “Regarding that event I may have to obtain a different kind of permission, but we'd proceed.”

The permission Trump alluded to would have to come through the Olympic governing body. The leader, she, was chosen to her post in spring and has yet to appear together with the former president, but she stated that she desires a meeting with Trump at some point.

Additional Criticism

Trump also condemned California governor Newsom’s response of recent LA wildfires, remarking that a parallel incident could result in the cancellation of the Games.

“If the governor refuses to cooperate, we are going to have to be very tough,” Trump said.

The warning was just as clear for Boston.

“Boston better clean up their act,” he remarked. “That’s all I will say.”