White House Defends Trump Remark on Iran Taking Out Los Angeles, San Diego

The White House on Tuesday defended President Donald Trump's remarks from a Monday campaign rally in Nebraska, where he suggested Iran could take out Los Angeles and San Diego.

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung stated on X that the media freakout over Trump's comments was not rooted in reality. Cheung clarified that Trump was clearly stating US cities would have been threatened if a nuclear Iran hadn't been stopped, adding that "America is safer because of the President." During the rally, Trump discussed the economic costs of the war with Iran, including higher prices, saying, "It's a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe."

He then added, "They can take out a city. Let 'em take out Los Angeles, let 'em take out San Diego. This is a very small price to pay." Sections of the audience cheered after these comments. California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the statement as deranged and dangerous, and directed California's State Threat Assessment Center to monitor the situation for foreign actors.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass described the comments as threats and an attempt to encourage attacks on American lives. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria wrote that the city was not collateral damage and demanded Trump keep it out of his reckless war talk. Republican congressional candidate Jim Desmond also disagreed with the president, stating no American city is expendable.