Trump says Iran could 'take out' Los Angeles and San Diego, sparking California backlash

Donald Trump has drawn sharp condemnation from California’s leaders after suggesting Iran could “take out” Los Angeles or San Diego, and dismissing the fallout as a small price to pay. The remarks came at a midterm-election campaign rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, on Monday (5 October), according to Reuters.

Trump told the crowd Americans should accept the economic cost of the war with Iran, saying: “It’s a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe.” He then added: “They could take out a city. Let ‘em take out Los Angeles, let ‘em take out San Diego. This is a very small price to pay, and it’s going to be over with very soon.”

He also predicted the war would end soon: “It’s essentially almost over with,” he said. “But it’s going to end very soon, and it’s going to end one way or the other.”

Governor Gavin Newsom responded on X: “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 juxtaposed a video clip of the remarks with a reference to the administration’s troop deployments to Los Angeles and other cities, Reuters reported.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement: “The president of the United States suggested that a foreign government attack Los Angeles. His statements against our city are dangerous and could potentially compromise our safety.” San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria wrote: “San Diego is not collateral damage. We are not expendable. And we are never a ‘small price to pay.’”

The White House pushed back on Tuesday. Communications Director Steven Cheung said on social media that Trump had been talking about stopping Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon: “He was clearly stating U.S. cities would have been threatened if a nuclear Iran hadn’t been stopped,” according to USA Today. Senator Adam Schiff also criticised the remarks, USA Today reported.

Los Angeles is California’s largest city and the second-most populous city in the United States, after New York City.

Read next: Trump administration coverage · US and nine nations issue Iran pledge · US Treasury warns foreign banks over Iran dealings