President Donald Trump drew sharp criticism from California leaders after suggesting during a campaign rally in Nebraska that Iran could “take out” Los Angeles and San Diego, remarks that came as he discussed the costs associated with the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Speaking Monday in Grand Island, Trump argued that higher costs linked to the war were a relatively small sacrifice for protecting the United States and the wider world.
“It’s a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe,” Trump said. He then added: “They can take out a city. Let ’em take out Los Angeles. Let ’em take out San Diego.”
The remarks drew cheers from some members of the rally crowd. It was not immediately clear whether Trump intended the comments literally or rhetorically, and the White House had not provided an immediate clarification.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom quickly condemned the president’s comments, calling Trump “deranged and dangerous.”
Newsom accused Trump of suggesting that a foreign adversary should be allowed to attack two major American cities.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also criticized the remarks, saying the president’s responsibility is to protect Americans rather than make statements that could threaten their safety.
“The role of a president is to protect the country, not to actively threaten it and encourage attacks on American lives,” Bass said.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria also pushed back, declaring that his city was neither “collateral damage” nor expendable.
“We are never a ‘small price to pay,’” Gloria said, urging Trump to keep San Diego out of what he described as reckless rhetoric about the war.
Trump made the comments while campaigning in Nebraska ahead of the November midterm elections, where he urged Republican voters to turn out as though his own name were on the ballot.
The remarks come amid heightened tensions surrounding the conflict with Iran and concerns about its economic and security consequences for the United States.
