Trump Sparks Outrage After Saying Iran Could 'Take Out' LA, San Diego
President Trump is facing a wave of backlash after saying at a Nebraska rally that Iran could "take out" Los Angeles and San Diego, calling it "a very small price to pay."
California leaders condemned the remarks as dangerous and reckless, while some of the president's supporters argued he was not being serious.
What Trump Said
Trump spoke Monday night, October 5, at the Pinnacle Bank Expo Center in Grand Island, Nebraska. The midterm campaign event was held to support Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts, who is facing an independent candidate backed by Democrats.
While defending the war with Iran and the higher gas prices that have come with it, Trump told the crowd: "It's a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe. They can take out a city. Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego," according to KHGI-TV.
He also described Iran as having "a big threshold for pain" and said the conflict was "essentially almost over," ABC7 Los Angeles reported.
The war has pushed up costs at the pump in recent weeks, with analysts warning that gas prices are about to jump even further.
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the remarks.
California Leaders Fire Back
Gov. Gavin Newsom accused the president of encouraging an attack on his state.
"After sending the National Guard and Marines to occupy California, Donald Trump is now saying our foreign enemies should 'take out' Los Angeles and San Diego. He is deranged and dangerous," Newsom wrote. He later called the comments "disgusting and disqualifying."
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said, "The role of a president is to protect the country, not to actively threaten it and encourage attacks on American lives."
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria was equally blunt. "San Diego is not collateral damage. We are not expendable. And we are never a 'small price to pay.' Keep our city out of your reckless war talk," he said.
Sen. Alex Padilla of California pointed to the service members who have died in the Iran conflict and said the president was "inviting an attack on U.S. soil," according to TheWrap.
Reaction Spreads Online
The comments quickly went viral. Journalist Jim Acosta noted that "the crowd starts to applaud" during the remarks, and "Morning Joe" host Joe Scarborough criticized the crowd for "cheering on the possibility of nuclear destruction of two American cities."
Some supporters defended the president, saying the remarks were a joke or a rhetorical way of describing what could happen if Iran were not stopped. Critics said that, whatever the intent, the words were inappropriate for a sitting president.
A Tense Moment Before the Midterms
The rally was part of a 32-day blitz of campaign events ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. It comes as Trump's approval rating has fallen to new lows and Democrats are hoping for gains in Congress, with recent midterm polls drawing close attention from both parties in the final weeks of the campaign.
The Iran war has also sparked criticism within Trump's own party. Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, recently filed impeachment articles against Hegseth over the conflict. At least 19 U.S. service members have been killed in the war, which some Democrats have called "unauthorized."
Los Angeles and San Diego are home to roughly 5 million people combined, and the Los Angeles area alone is the second-largest metro region in the country.
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