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Former President Trump has once again announced he would influence FIFA to pull global soccer tournament events from a designated city based on municipal politics, with Massachusetts emerging as the latest such city to face such statements from the US president. Moreover, Trump remarked he would contemplate similar action against Los Angeles for the 2028 Summer Games due to possible safety issues.

Official Power and Informal Leverage

Even though Trump holds no direct legal authority to personally cancel either tournament, he can apply pressure the international organizations overseeing each event to shift host cities.

Setting for Statements

These statements were made during a press event with Argentinian president Milei, who was present in the presidential residence following the revelation of a $20 billion bailout for the Argentine nation. Near the conclusion of the meeting, a journalist asked Trump about a latest “street takeover” in the city where authorities were assaulted and a patrol car was set on fire. The journalist also questioned if such events could cause the revocation of hosting duties for the larger soccer tournament.

“It's possible to take them away,” the former president stated regarding the soccer fixtures, planned to be held at Gillette Stadium. “The city's leader is not good … they're extremist, and activists are occupying areas of downtown. It's a major assertion, right?”

Urban Disturbances and Political Context

Unauthorized gatherings, a online-fueled phenomenon where participants gather on urban roads during nighttime to perform stunts, have been a ongoing nuisance in US urban areas since the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. Current similar events have become aggressive in the region, notably in downtown. Nevertheless, these events are typically not seen as linked to any specific partisan agenda.

“If someone is doing a bad job, and I feel there are unsafe conditions, I will call the FIFA head, who is excellent, and suggest we should relocate it to an alternate venue,” Trump said on Tuesday. “He'd do that. He may not enjoy the action, but he would comply. Readily, he'd comply.”

Political Connections

FIFA President has made no secret his efforts to be visibly associated with the former president prior to next year’s tournament, set to be staged in 11 cities across the US along with a couple in the northern neighbor and three in the southern neighbor. The FIFA president has participated at multiple White House events, had Trump present the club tournament award after the concluding game, and has even delayed his the group's assembly to accompany Trump on a journey to the Gulf states previously.

Previous Threats

Despite this, Trump from suggesting the removal of soccer events from additional American venues. On September 25, Seattle and San Francisco were parallel statements, with Trump stating both locations were “run by radical left lunatics who are clueless what they’re doing,” while questioning the security conditions of both areas and implying that matches could be removed.

FIFA Response

The organization's deputy Montagliani rejected Trump’s statements when he responded afterward at a event in the UK capital.

“This is our competition, under our authority, FIFA makes such choices,” he stated. “Respectfully to sitting presidents, the sport is bigger than political figures and soccer will outlast their administration and their government. It's the beauty of our game, that it is bigger than a single person and beyond any country.”

LA Games Warning

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

“In case I believed the city was not going to be adequately ready, I would move it to an alternate venue as needed,” he remarked. “For the Olympics I’d probably have to obtain a alternative consent, but we would take that action.”

Official consent Trump mentioned would must come via the IOC. Their leader, Kirsty Coventry, was chosen to her post in spring and has so far not hold a public appearance with the former president, but she stated that she would like a discussion with him at eventually.

Other Remarks

Trump also questioned Gavin Newsom’s management of the LA wildfires, remarking that a comparable scenario could result in the relocation of the Olympics.

“In case he refuses to cooperate, we’re gonna have to be firm,” Trump said.

The warning was similarly clear for Boston.

“The city better improve their situation,” he remarked. “That’s all my message.”