The Trump Los Angeles San Diego remark has triggered a political backlash in California after President Donald Trump said Iran could “take out” the two major cities while discussing the economic costs of the war.
Trump made the comments during a rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, as he defended the sacrifices Americans were making because of higher fuel, fertilizer and other prices linked to disruptions caused by the conflict with Iran.
The president argued that the economic costs were a small price to pay for keeping the United States and the world safe, before referring to the possibility of an Iranian attack on a major American city.
Trump says Iran could ‘take out’ US city
Speaking to supporters, Trump said: “It’s a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, for keeping our country safe. They could take out a city. Let ’em take out Los Angeles, let ’em take out San Diego.”
He then said the conflict would end soon, adding that it was “essentially almost over with” and would end “one way or the other.”
The remarks immediately drew attention because Los Angeles and San Diego are the two largest cities in California and both have major strategic and economic importance.
San Diego also has a substantial military presence, with more than 115,000 active-duty service members stationed there, including personnel at Naval Base San Diego.
The comments therefore generated concern among California officials and some Republicans, particularly because they appeared to suggest that an attack on the cities could be tolerated as part of the broader conflict.
White House rejects interpretation of remarks
The White House subsequently rejected criticism that Trump was suggesting Iran should attack American cities.
White House communications director Steven Cheung said Trump was referring to the threat that would exist if Iran were allowed to develop the ability to attack US cities with nuclear weapons.
“The media freakout over President Trump’s comments is not rooted in reality,” Cheung said.
He argued that Trump “was clearly stating U.S. cities would have been threatened if a nuclear Iran hadn’t been stopped.”
The White House also said Iran currently has no nuclear capability, navy, air force or financial strength that would allow it to pose the threat Trump was describing.
The clarification came as the administration faced growing political pressure over the economic consequences of the Iran conflict, particularly rising fuel prices.
Gavin Newsom attacks Trump comments
California Governor Gavin Newsom was among the most prominent critics of Trump’s remarks.
Newsom described the president as “deranged and dangerous” and accused him of suggesting that foreign enemies should attack California’s major cities.
“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,” Newsom wrote on X.
Newsom has emerged as one of Trump’s most prominent political opponents and has repeatedly clashed with the president over the deployment of federal military personnel in California.
His response also came as early voting began in California for the November midterm elections, adding a political dimension to the controversy.
Trump’s Republican Party is seeking to make gains in California, traditionally one of the country’s strongest Democratic states.
Republican candidate distances himself
The backlash was not limited to Democrats.
Jim Desmond, a Republican congressional candidate in a competitive district near San Diego, publicly rejected Trump’s comments.
“I vehemently disagree with President Trump’s comments,” Desmond said.
He argued that while the United States must confront Iran and defend American interests, the president’s first responsibility is to protect Americans and the homeland.
“No American city is expendable, and no American family should ever be treated as collateral damage,” Desmond said.
His response illustrated the political sensitivity surrounding Trump’s wording, particularly in San Diego, where a large military population could be directly affected by any serious conflict involving the United States and Iran.
Los Angeles mayor warns of safety concerns
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also condemned the president’s comments.
“The president of the United States suggested that a foreign government attack Los Angeles,” Bass said, warning that the remarks were dangerous and could potentially compromise the city’s safety.
Bass’s criticism adds to the growing response from California’s Democratic leadership.
The controversy comes against the backdrop of Trump’s repeated criticism of Democratic-run American cities and his broader arguments about crime, immigration and public order.
The latest comments have therefore become part of an increasingly contentious political relationship between the president and California.
California enters midterm election season
The timing of the controversy is also significant because California’s early voting for the November midterm elections has begun.
Republicans have been seeking to improve their performance in the state, while Democrats have worked to protect their congressional advantage.
Newsom previously backed changes to California’s congressional map designed to favour Democrats after Trump supported a redistricting effort in Texas aimed at strengthening Republicans.
The dispute over Trump’s comments could consequently become part of the broader political debate over the president’s approach to California and the Iran conflict.
Trump defends Iran war costs
Trump’s comments were made while discussing the economic consequences of the war with Iran.
The president has repeatedly attempted to downplay concerns about rising living costs associated with the conflict.
Energy prices have increased amid disruption to global oil supplies, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining a major factor in the energy market. Reuters has also reported that Trump’s administration has faced pressure over rising gasoline and diesel prices as the war continues.
Trump has argued that the economic sacrifice is justified by the broader objective of protecting the United States and preventing Iran from developing capabilities that could threaten American cities.
However, the wording of his Nebraska remarks has shifted attention from that argument to whether the president appeared to dismiss the potential loss of American lives.
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The White House insists that was not Trump’s meaning.
The clarification has not prevented criticism, with Democrats and at least one Republican arguing that no US city should be presented as an acceptable cost of war.
The Trump Los Angeles San Diego remark has therefore become another flashpoint in the president’s increasingly contentious debate with California, while the White House continues to frame the comments as a warning about what Iran could potentially do if allowed to acquire nuclear weapons.
With California already entering the midterm election period and the Iran conflict continuing to affect energy prices, the controversy is likely to remain politically significant as both parties campaign on national security, the economy and the administration’s handling of the war.