Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Trump’s Iran War Remarks About California Cities Trigger Backlash
At a rally in Nebraska, President Donald Trump talked about the war with Iran and higher prices.
He said those costs were a small price to pay for keeping people safe.
He then said Iran could “take out” Los Angeles or San Diego.
The White House said he meant that Iran might have threatened US cities if it had developed nuclear weapons.
California leaders said his words were dangerous and that no city should be treated as expendable.
A Republican candidate also disagreed with the remarks.
Some supporters said Trump was warning about a possible danger, while critics said his wording was reckless.
The remarks came weeks before the US midterm elections.
At a Monday rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, Trump said Iran could “take out” Los Angeles or San Diego while discussing the costs of the Iran conflict.
Trump called higher prices for fuel, fertilizer and other products a small price to pay for keeping the country and the world safe, and said the conflict would end soon.
The White House said Trump was describing the threat posed by a nuclear-armed Iran, not advocating an attack on US cities.
California Governor Gavin Newsom and mayors Karen Bass and Todd Gloria condemned the remarks; Republican Jim Desmond also said no American city should be expendable.
Some critics called the wording reckless and dangerous, while supporters said Trump was warning about what could happen if Iran acquired nuclear weapons. The reports differ on whether state officials initiated heightened security monitoring; that claim appears only in one explainer.
- Who
- President Donald Trump, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung, California officials and Republican Jim Desmond.
- What
- Trump said Iran could “take out” Los Angeles or San Diego; the White House said he was warning about a potential nuclear threat, and officials and others criticized his wording.
- When
- Trump spoke on Monday, October 5; the White House responded on Tuesday, October 6.
- Where
- The rally was in Grand Island, Nebraska; the cities named are in California.
- Why
- Trump was discussing the Iran conflict, its economic effects and the claimed need to keep the country and the world safe.
Critics of the remarks
White House and supporters
What Trump meant
Critics of the remarks
California officials and critics said the wording suggested that attacks on American cities could be accepted, and described it as dangerous or reckless.
White House and supporters
The White House said Trump was warning that Iran could have threatened US cities if it had obtained nuclear weapons; some supporters agreed with that interpretation.
Whether the cities are expendable
Critics of the remarks
Newsom, Bass, Gloria and Desmond objected to language that they said endangered or discounted the safety of residents; Desmond said no city was expendable.
White House and supporters
Trump said the economic costs of the conflict were a small price to pay for keeping the country and the world safe.
- Rally location
- Grand Island, Nebraska
- Cities named
- Los Angeles and San Diego
- Economic costs mentioned
- Higher prices for fuel, fertilizer and other products, which reports linked to energy-market disruption from the conflict
- Trump’s description of the conflict
- He called the costs a small price to pay and said the conflict would end very soon
- White House explanation
- Steven Cheung said Trump meant US cities could have been threatened if Iran had developed nuclear weapons
- California officials who criticized the remarks
- Governor Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria
- Republican response
- Jim Desmond said no American city or family should be treated as expendable or collateral damage; Kevin Kiley called the comment unhelpful
Sources
Trump’s ‘take out LA, San Diego’ remark: White House clarifies what he actually meant
‘Let Them Take Out Los Angeles’: Trump Sparks Firestorm Over Iran War Remarks
Trump suggests Iran to ‘take out’ Los Angeles, San Diego; sparks backlash in US
Californians blast Trump remark that Iran could ‘take out’ Los Angeles, San Diego
White House Denies Trump Suggested Iran Should "Take Out" US Cities
California officials blast Trump after president says Iran could ‘take out’ major US cities
California governor condemns Trump’s ‘let ’em take Los Angeles’ comments
‘Deranged and dangerous’, ‘He gave terrorists targets’: Trump’s Iran ‘take out LA, San Diego’ remark sparks outrage
