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President Donald Trump made a comment suggesting Iran “take out Los Angeles” or San Diego during a Nebraska campaign rally on Monday, Oct. 5
Gov. Gavin Newsom called the comments “dangerous” and said they targeted millions of California residents
Los Angeles and San Diego mayors also condemned the remarks as threats to their cities’ safety
California Gov. Gavin Newsom and other state officials are condemning President Donald Trump after he appeared to make a comment suggesting allowing Iran to “take out” Los Angeles or San Diego.
Trump, 80, made the comments while discussing the U.S. and Iran war, which has caused gas prices to skyrocket in recent months, during a campaign rally in Nebraska on Monday, Oct. 5, according to CBS News, Los Angeles Times and The Guardian. He argued the war was necessary to ensure the safety o the country, but also appeared to say there could be consequences at home in the U.S.
“With the war, it’s just artificial. It’s a little bit high. It’s a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe,” Trump said while discussing rising costs.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at Pinnacle Bank Expo Center on the Nebraska State Fairgrounds on October 05, 2026 in Grand Island, Nebraska. Trump is campaigning for incumbent U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Gov. Jim Pillen ahead of the November midterm elections.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally in Nebraska on Oct. 5, 2026.
Win McNamee/Getty
“They can take out a city. Let them take out Los Angeles, let them take out San Diego. This is a very small price to pay,” he continued, before adding that “it’s going to be over with very soon.”
Trump did not elaborate further, and it was unclear what he meant by the statement.
On Tuesday, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung called the response to Trump’s remarks a “media freakout” in a post on X.