🔗 Share this article Trump Threatens Relocation of World Cup Games from the Boston area, Olympics from California Ex-president Trump has once again stated he would influence FIFA to remove global soccer tournament events from a host city based on municipal political climate, with Massachusetts now being the most recent targeted location to face such warnings from the US president. Additionally, Trump remarked he would evaluate comparable measures against LA for the upcoming Olympic Games due to perceived safety issues. Official Power and Potential Influence While Trump does not have formal power to unilaterally remove either tournament, he is able to exert influence the international organizations managing each competition to move host cities. Context of Remarks The remarks were made during a press event with Argentina's leader Milei, who was visiting the White House following the announcement of a $20 billion bailout for the Latin American country. At the end of the event, a journalist questioned Trump about a current “street takeover” in the city where authorities were assaulted and a patrol car was ignited. The correspondent also wondered if the situation could result in the revocation of hosting duties for the 48-team soccer tournament. “We could take them away,” Trump said regarding the soccer fixtures, set to be staged at the Foxborough venue. “Their mayor is not good … she is extremist, and they’re dominating sections of Boston. That is a major claim, isn't it?” Public Gatherings and Political Context Public disruptions, a social media-driven occurrence where groups of people gather on city streets during nighttime to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have emerged as a repeated problem in metropolitan centers since the lockdown restrictions. Latest such gatherings have escalated into violence in the region, notably in the city. However, these gatherings are usually not considered associated with any distinct partisan agenda. “When someone is performing poorly, and I feel exist unsafe conditions, I'd call the FIFA head, who is excellent, and say let’s move it to another location,” the former president said during the event. “And he would do that. He might not prefer to do it, but he'd agree. Readily, he would.” Organizational Alignment FIFA President has made no secret his efforts to be publicly aligned with the former president ahead of the upcoming World Cup, planned to be organized in 11 cities across the United States along with two in Canada and three in Mexico. The organization's leader has appeared at several presidential functions, had Trump deliver the FIFA club award after the championship match, and has even postponed his the group's assembly to travel with Trump on a visit to the Arab region this year. Previous Threats This has not stopped, Trump from suggesting the cancellation of FIFA World Cup games from other US host cities. In late September, the Washington city and San Francisco were similar comments, with Trump claiming both urban centers were “run by ideological activists who don’t know what they're managing,” while questioning the safety level of both locales and implying that events could be relocated. Official Rebuttal Victor Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s claims when he responded days later at a gathering in England. “It is the organization's event, our responsibility, FIFA makes such choices,” the vice-president stated. “Respectfully to sitting presidents, the sport is transcends them and the game will survive their tenure and their government. That’s the beauty of this sport, that it is bigger than one leader and more important than a nation.” Olympics Threat On Tuesday, Trump’s reply to a question about Boston extended to a comparable warning regarding the LA Olympic event. “If I thought Los Angeles was failing to be adequately ready, I'd shift it to another location if I had to,” Trump stated. “On that one I may have to obtain a different kind of consent, but we will do that.” Any approval Trump alluded to would need to come from the IOC. Their head, the newly elected president, was selected to her position in this year and has yet to meet publicly with Trump, though she said that she desires a meeting with the US figure at eventually. Other Remarks Trump also questioned California governor Newsom’s handling of this year’s blazes, stating that a similar situation could result in the removal of the event. “When Newsom is uncooperative, we will have to be firm,” he commented. The warning was just as unambiguous for Boston. “The city better address these issues,” Trump stated. “That’s all my message.”