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Ex-president Trump has repeatedly stated he would pressure FIFA to remove 2026 World Cup games from a venue based on that city's political climate, with the Boston region emerging as the third urban area to encounter such statements from the US president. Furthermore, Trump remarked he would contemplate comparable measures against LA for the upcoming Olympic Games due to perceived safety issues.

Jurisdictional Limits and Informal Leverage

While Trump does not have direct legal authority to directly relocate either tournament, he may lobby the respective governing bodies overseeing each tournament to change locations.

Setting for Statements

These comments were made during a news conference with Argentinian president Milei, who was present in the presidential residence following the disclosure of a $20 billion financial assistance for the Latin American nation. Toward the close of the gathering, a media member asked Trump about a recent unauthorized gathering in Boston where authorities were assaulted and a police vehicle was ignited. The journalist also wondered if the situation could result in the loss of hosting duties for the larger soccer tournament.

“We could take them away,” he remarked concerning the soccer games, scheduled to be held at the Foxborough venue. “She is not good … she is extremist, and activists are taking over sections of downtown. It's a pretty big assertion, isn't it?”

Urban Disturbances and Ideological Perceptions

Street takeovers, a social media-driven phenomenon where large crowds assemble on urban roads during nighttime to engage in dangerous driving, have become a frequent problem in American cities since the Covid-19 pandemic shutdowns. Latest incidents have become aggressive in the region, specifically in Boston. However, these gatherings are usually not considered tied to any particular ideological group.

“When a mayor is performing poorly, and I perceive there are security risks, I will call the organization's president, who is outstanding, and say let’s move it to another location,” the former president commented during the event. “And he would do that. He might not prefer the action, but he’d do it. Very easily, he’d do it.”

Political Connections

The organization's head has been open his strategies to be publicly aligned with the US leader ahead of next year’s tournament, planned to be hosted in 11 cities across the US along with several in the northern neighbor and multiple in the southern neighbor. The head has participated at multiple Oval Office gatherings, arranged for Trump present the club tournament cup after the championship match, and has even rescheduled his the group's assembly to travel with Trump on a visit to the Gulf states this year.

Earlier Warnings

Despite this, Trump from suggesting the removal of World Cup games from other US host cities. On September 25, the Washington city and San Francisco came under comparable comments, with Trump asserting both urban centers were “led by far-left extremists who are clueless what they're managing,” while questioning the safety level of both cities and suggesting that matches could be relocated.

Official Rebuttal

Victor Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s statements when he responded afterward at a event in the UK capital.

“It’s the organization's event, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes these matters,” he said. “Politely to sitting presidents, the sport is transcends political figures and football will endure their tenure and their government. That is the beauty of our game, that it is bigger than one leader and beyond any country.”

Olympics Threat

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

“If I believed LA was not prepared properly, I'd move it to a different city if I had to,” he said. “On that one I might have to secure a alternative consent, but we would do that.”

Official consent Trump alluded to would have to come through the Olympic governing body. The president, she, was selected to her post in spring and has not yet meet publicly with him, though she stated that she desires a discussion with the US figure at some point.

Additional Criticism

He also questioned the state's leader Newsom’s management of the California fires, remarking that a comparable scenario could lead to the relocation of the Olympics.

“When the governor refuses to cooperate, we are going to have to be firm,” Trump commented.

The warning was equally unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“Boston should improve their situation,” he said. “That is my message.”