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Donald Trump has yet again stated he would influence FIFA to pull upcoming World Cup events from a venue based on the local governance, with Massachusetts becoming the third urban area to face such warnings from the US president. Moreover, Trump indicated he would evaluate parallel steps against LA for the 2028 Summer Games due to possible safety issues.

Official Power and Possible Pressure

Even though Trump holds no formal power to personally cancel either event, he is able to exert influence the international organizations in charge of each competition to move venues.

Background of Comments

These statements were made during a media briefing with Argentina's leader Milei, who was present in the White House following the revelation of a multibillion-dollar bailout for the Latin American economy. Near the end of the event, a journalist inquired Trump about a latest public disturbance in downtown Boston where police officers were attacked and a police vehicle was ignited. The reporter also wondered if the situation could lead to the revocation of hosting duties for the expanded soccer tournament.

“It's possible to take them away,” he remarked regarding the soccer matches, set to be held at Gillette Stadium. “The city's leader is poor … she’s extremist, and they are occupying parts of downtown. That is a significant assertion, don't you think?”

Public Gatherings and Ideological Perceptions

Unauthorized gatherings, a online-fueled trend where groups of people congregate on public avenues late at night to engage in dangerous driving, have emerged as a repeated issue in US urban areas since the lockdown closures. Latest incidents have turned violent in the state, notably in Boston. Yet, these gatherings are generally not seen as linked to any particular partisan agenda.

“In cases where a mayor is failing, and I perceive exist security risks, I will call the organization's president, who is phenomenal, and suggest we should relocate it to a different city,” Trump commented publicly. “He will do that. He might not prefer to do it, but he’d do it. Readily, he would.”

Organizational Alignment

Gianni Infantino has made no secret his efforts to be publicly aligned with the former president ahead of the upcoming World Cup, set to be organized in multiple US locations across the United States along with two in Canada and a few in Mexico. The organization's leader has been present at multiple presidential gatherings, arranged for Trump present the Club World Cup trophy after the concluding game, and has even rescheduled his own organization’s congress to travel with Trump on a trip to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Previous Threats

Nevertheless, Trump from warning about the relocation of World Cup events from additional American venues. On September 25, the Washington city and San Francisco came under comparable criticism, with Trump claiming both cities were “governed by ideological activists who don’t know what they’re doing,” while questioning the safety level of both cities and suggesting that matches could be relocated.

FIFA Response

The organization's deputy Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s claims when he commented afterward at a event in London.

“It is our competition, our responsibility, FIFA makes those decisions,” the vice-president declared. “With all due respect to sitting presidents, the sport is more important than any individual and football will survive their regime and their leadership. It's the essence of our game, that it is more significant than one leader and beyond any country.”

2028 Comments

During the event, Trump’s reply to a query about the Massachusetts city included a parallel statement regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“If I thought LA was not going to be sufficiently organized, I would shift it to another location as needed,” he remarked. “For the Olympics I might have to secure a alternative approval, but we'd take that action.”

Official consent Trump refers to would need to come from the IOC. Their head, the newly elected president, was selected to her position in this year and has not yet meet publicly with the former president, but she stated that she desires a meeting with Trump at a future time.

Additional Criticism

Trump also questioned Gavin Newsom’s handling of recent California fires, remarking that a parallel incident could result in the relocation of the Olympics.

“When the governor is uncooperative, we’re gonna have to be very tough,” the former president commented.

The warning was equally direct for Boston.

“The city should address these issues,” he remarked. “It's I can say.”