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Donald Trump has repeatedly stated he would pressure FIFA to pull global soccer tournament events from a venue based on the local governance, with Boston becoming the most recent such city to encounter such threats from the White House. Moreover, Trump remarked he would consider similar action against Southern California for the 2028 Olympics due to potential security concerns.

Official Power and Possible Pressure

Even though Trump holds no direct legal authority to unilaterally remove either tournament, he can lobby the respective governing bodies in charge of each event to shift host cities.

Background of Comments

These remarks were made during a press event with Argentina's leader Milei, who was at the presidential residence following the disclosure of a $20 billion financial assistance for the Latin American country. At the conclusion of the gathering, a reporter questioned Trump about a current public disturbance in the city where police officers were assaulted and a patrol car was ignited. The correspondent also questioned if these incidents could cause the revocation of tournament responsibilities for the expanded soccer tournament.

“I would take them away,” he said about the soccer fixtures, set to be staged at the Massachusetts arena. “She is ineffective … she’s far-left, and activists are occupying parts of the city. That is a major claim, right?”

Public Gatherings and Political Context

Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven occurrence where groups of people gather on urban roads late at night to engage in dangerous driving, have emerged as a frequent nuisance in American cities since the lockdown shutdowns. Recent such gatherings have become aggressive in the region, specifically in downtown. Nevertheless, these events are generally not regarded as linked to any distinct partisan agenda.

“If a city is performing poorly, and I perceive there are security risks, I will call the FIFA head, who is phenomenal, and suggest let’s move it to a different city,” the former president said publicly. “And he would do that. He might not prefer to do it, but he'd agree. Readily, he would.”

Political Connections

The organization's head has publicly acknowledged his efforts to be closely connected with Trump ahead of next year’s tournament, set to be hosted in 11 cities across the America along with several in the northern neighbor and multiple in the southern neighbor. The head has been present at several Oval Office gatherings, arranged for Trump hand over the FIFA club trophy after the concluding game, and has even postponed his own organization’s congress to join Trump on a journey to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Previous Threats

Nevertheless, Trump from suggesting the relocation of soccer games from different locations. In late September, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis were parallel comments, with Trump asserting both locations were “run by ideological activists who don’t know what they are doing,” while challenging the public safety of both locales and suggesting that events could be shifted.

Official Rebuttal

The organization's deputy Montagliani rejected Trump’s assertions when he commented subsequently at a event in the UK capital.

“It is our competition, under our authority, the organization determines these matters,” he declared. “Respectfully to national heads, the sport is more important than political figures and football will survive their tenure and their policies. That’s the beauty of our game, that it is transcends a single person and more important than individual states.”

LA Games Warning

Similarly, Trump’s response to a query about the Massachusetts city veered into a similar threat regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“When I perceived Los Angeles was not adequately ready, I'd relocate it to another location if necessary,” he remarked. “Regarding that event I may have to obtain a different kind of approval, but we would take that action.”

The permission Trump refers to would must come from the Olympic governing body. The head, she, was elected to her position in March and has yet to appear together with the former president, though she indicated that she desires a sit-down with the US figure at eventually.

Other Remarks

He also questioned the state's leader Newsom’s handling of the LA wildfires, remarking that a similar situation could cause the removal of the Olympics.

“In case Newsom refuses to cooperate, we’re gonna have to be very tough,” Trump said.

His message was just as clear for Boston.

“They should address these issues,” he said. “It's I will say.”