🎥 Trump Says Iran Could “Take Out” Los Angeles or San Diego, Calling It a “Small Price to Pay”

President Donald Trump sparked immediate backlash after saying during a campaign rally in Nebraska that Iran could “take out” Los Angeles or San Diego, while arguing that the costs of the current conflict with Iran are a “small price to pay” for U.S. and global security. 

Trump made the remarks while discussing higher energy prices linked to the war.

“It’s a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe,” Trump said. He then added that Iran could “take out” a city and specifically named Los Angeles and San Diego. 

California Leaders Condemn the Remarks

The comments drew swift criticism from California officials.

Gov. Gavin Newsom condemned the remarks, while Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria also rejected the suggestion that either city could be treated as acceptable collateral damage in a conflict with Iran. Reuters

Gloria wrote that San Diego is “not collateral damage,” while Bass said a president’s role is to protect American cities and residents. 

White House Says Trump Was Warning About Iran

The White House later pushed back against the interpretation that Trump was advocating an Iranian attack on American cities.

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said Trump was instead trying to illustrate what could happen if Iran were allowed to develop the capability to threaten the United States, and argued that the administration’s military actions were intended to prevent such a scenario. 

That explanation has not ended the controversy, with critics arguing that Trump’s wording appeared to minimize the potential destruction of major U.S. cities.

No Evidence Iran Can Currently Strike U.S. Cities

There is also an important military distinction.

Public reporting does not establish that Iran currently has a deployed missile capability capable of directly striking Los Angeles or San Diego from Iranian territory. The Los Angeles Times noted that Iran’s known ballistic missile range is far shorter, although U.S. officials have long warned that Iran’s space program could potentially contribute to future intercontinental missile capabilities. 

Trump’s remarks therefore came as part of his broader argument about what he says the United States is trying to prevent by confronting Iran.

Comments Come During Nebraska Campaign Rally

Trump made the remarks in Grand Island, Nebraska, where he was campaigning ahead of the November midterm elections.

During the same rally, he discussed fuel prices, the war with Iran and domestic political issues, while urging Republican voters to turn out in November. 

The comments about Los Angeles and San Diego quickly became one of the most controversial moments of the speech.

Sources: Reuters, Associated Press, Los Angeles Times, CBS Los Angeles

By NJ RADAR Team

Editor’s Note: NJ Radar reports on these protests for informational purposes. The views and slogans shown or described do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication.