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President Donald Trump suggested he would push for the 2026 World Cup games to be moved out of Boston unless the city's mayor, Michelle Wu, curbs crime, which recently included a violent street takeover targeting police.
Trump made the offer while answering media questions during a meeting Tuesday with Argentine President Javier Milley at the White House, threatening to call FIFA President Gianni Infantino suggested moving the games to cities that cooperate, citing security concerns.
“We can take them. I love the people of Boston. And I know the games are sold out, but the mayor is bad. There are worse people than her. At least she's smart. You know, some have extremely low IQs. That bothers me more. She's smart, but she's a radical leftist,” Trump said.
“The answer is yes, if someone is doing a bad job and if I feel the conditions are unsafe, I will call Gianni, the head of FIFA, who is phenomenal, and say, 'Let's move this somewhere else,' and he will do it. He wouldn't like to do it, but he would do it, he would do it very easily. And now is the right time for this.”
Trump's comments come after a group of people took over a city street this week in a violent incident. President of the trade union representing Boston Police officials said the men involved in the city's recent street takeover were “obsessed” with attacking law enforcement officers.
More than 100 people took part in the takeover, which included street racing, just after 2 a.m. on Oct. 5, according to the Boston Police Department. Officers found people attempting to attack police vehicles with fireworks, cones, poles and other objects.
One police cruiser was destroyed in the fire and had to be towed from the area, officials said.
Boston is currently set to host seven matches when the World Cup takes place in North America next summer. The list includes five group stage games, one round of 16 match and the first quarter-final, which will take place on July 9.
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Mayor Michelle Wu speaks at a news conference in Boston. (Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald via Getty Images)
Wu's office responded to Trump's threats in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“Boston is proud to host the FIFA World Cup and we look forward to welcoming fans from around the world to our beautiful city, the cradle of freedom and the city of champions,” the statement said.
Trump added that he would also consider canceling the 2028 plan. Summer Olympics from Los Angeles for the same reasons.
“I could say the same about the Olympics,” he said. “If I thought L.A. wouldn’t be prepared properly, I would move it to another location.”
Wu accused the Trump administration of being the party that “does not follow the law.”
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President Donald Trump holds the World Cup trophy in the Oval Office; Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. (Getty Images)
“At a time when the federal administration is already causing so much fear and harm in our communities, these threats are serious and have consequences,” Wu said in August.
The remarks came as the Trump administration warned it could sue or cut federal funds if cities refuse to cooperate on immigration enforcement.
Fox News Digital's Adam Sabes and FOX Business Network's Edward Lawrence contributed to this report.
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