Trump’s ‘take out LA, San Diego’ remark: White House clarifies what he actually meant | Today’s news
The White House sought to clarify President Donald Trump’s controversial comments about Los Angeles and San Diego on Tuesday (Oct. 6), saying he had warned of the threat Iran could pose to American cities if Tehran was allowed to develop nuclear weapons — without suggesting he wanted Iran to attack American cities.
The clarification came after Trump’s remarks at a rally in Nebraska drew criticism from Democrats, Republican politicians and social media users.
White House communications director Steven Cheung said Trump’s comments were misunderstood and misrepresented in what he called a “media frenzy” that was “not rooted in reality.”
What did Trump say about LA and San Diego?
Trump discussed the Iran war and its impact on American consumers, including high gasoline prices, when he raised the possibility of an Iranian attack on American soil.
“It’s a small price to pay to keep the world safe, to keep our country safe,” Trump said, referring to the economic impact of the conflict.
“They can eliminate the city. Let them choose Los Angeles, let them take San Diego. That’s a very small price to pay,” he added.
The remarks came during a lengthy campaign rally in Nebraska, where Trump often deviated from his prepared remarks.
His reference to the two California cities immediately drew criticism.
White House: Trump warned of a nuclear Iran
Cheung said the president is not advocating attacking American cities.
“The media scare over President Trump’s comments is not rooted in reality,” Cheung said.
“He clearly stated that American cities would be at risk if a nuclear Iran was not stopped. America is safer because of the president,” he added.
Cheung also claimed that Iran currently lacks several key military capabilities, saying that Tehran “has no nuclear weapons, no navy, no air force and no money.”
The White House’s explanation reframed Trump’s comments as a warning about the possible consequences of allowing Iran to develop a nuclear weapon.
Gavin Newsom calls Trump ‘crazy and dangerous’
Still, Trump’s comments drew a sharp response from California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Calling Trump “crazy and dangerous,” Newsom accused the president of saying that America’s foreign enemies should “take over” Los Angeles and San Diego.
The Republican is also pushing back
The opposition was not limited to Democrats.
Jim Desmond, a San Diego-area Republican congressional candidate and Navy veteran, said America’s cities should not be treated as expendable in war.
“As a Navy veteran, I served to protect the American people, not to write off America’s cities as the acceptable cost of war,” Desmond wrote on social media.
He added that “no American family should ever be considered collateral damage.”
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Trump’s “take out LA, San Diego” remark sparked outrage on social media
President Donald Trump’s remarks suggesting that Iran could “take out” Los Angeles or San Diego sparked a wild debate on social media, with critics accusing him of ill-advised comments about American cities while supporters said his words were taken out of context.
Several users condemned the president’s statements and asked how the American president can talk about attacking American cities.
“He literally just gave terrorists targets that are ‘okay’ to bomb. This is crazy,” wrote one user, demanding the 25th amendment.
Another said: “Never in my life would I have thought that the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES WOULD SUGGEST A FOREIGN COUNTRY TO PICK CITIES.”
One Southern California resident wrote that Trump’s words were “appalling,” adding: “The President of the United States talked about Los Angeles and San Diego being ‘taken out.’ Millions of Americans live there.”
Another critic said the intent does not excuse the language.
“Joke or no joke. This shows his division of this country,” wrote one user.
Another asked, “Let them pull Los Angeles or San Diego”? WHAT STATEMENT SHOULD THE PRESIDENT MAKE?”
Some users went further, accusing Trump of treason and calling for his impeachment.
Supporters say Trump warned of an Iranian nuclear threat
Trump’s comments also received support from users who said he warned of what could happen if Iran acquired a nuclear weapon.
“Obviously he’s talking about what Iran would do if they were allowed to get a nuclear weapon,” one user wrote.
Trump’s history of attacks on American cities
Trump has often criticized American cities during campaign rallies, particularly large Democratic-leaning urban areas.
At a recent rally in North Carolina, he described the state’s cities as “bloody killing fields.”
However, the comments about Los Angeles and San Diego differed in that Trump discussed the possibility of attacking those cities in the context of the Iran conflict.
The key issue remains Iran’s nuclear program
Iran has repeatedly stated that it does not seek nuclear weapons. But it has enriched uranium to near weapons-grade levels, raising concerns among the US and its allies.
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