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Trump Suggests Iran Could 'Take Out' L.A. and San Diego
Confirmed
In Short: President Donald Trump suggested Iran could 'take out' Los Angeles and San Diego if it developed a nuclear weapon, drawing condemnation from California leaders.
At a campaign rally in Nebraska, President Donald Trump suggested Iran could 'take out' Los Angeles and San Diego if it developed a nuclear weapons capability, drawing swift backlash from California political leaders.
Gavin Newsom, California's governor, rebuked Trump, calling his remarks 'deranged and dangerous.' Newsom wrote on X, 'Let’s be clear: The President is advocating for an attack on 10+ million U.S. residents in two of America’s largest cities. This is not normal.'
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria also condemned Trump's comments. Bass said they could 'potentially compromise our safety,' while Gloria stated, 'San Diego is not collateral damage. We are not expendable. And we are never a small price to pay.'
Trump made the comments while discussing the ongoing conflict with Iran, suggesting that the economic impact of the war is a 'small price to pay.' He also stated the war 'will end very soon, one way or the other.'
The remarks came in the wake of two foiled terror plots, including an attack on an Israel-bound passenger flight and a potential attack on a U.K. military base, which Trump believes Iran was behind.
San Diego, the eighth-largest city in the U.S., is home to several major military installations, including the Naval Base San Diego, the principal homeport of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Los Angeles, the second-most populous city in the U.S., is a major economic and cultural hub.
The White House dismissed criticism of the remarks on Tuesday, with a spokesperson saying, 'The media freakout over President Trump’s comments is not rooted in reality. He was clearly stating U.S. cities would have been threatened if a nuclear Iran hadn't been stopped.'
Background
A take-out or takeaway is a prepared meal or other food items purchased at a restaurant or fast food outlet with the intent to eat elsewhere. A concept found in many ancient cultures, take-out food is common worldwide, with a number of different cuisines and dishes on offer.
San Diego is a city on the Pacific coast of Southern California, next to the Mexican border. It is the eighth-most populous city in the U.S. and second-most populous city in California with a population of over 1.4 million, while the San Diego area with over 3.3 million residents is the 18th-largest metropolitan area in the country.
What's confirmed
- "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.
- "small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe."
- President Donald Trump suggested that Iran could “take out” Los Angeles and San Diego (Photo: REUTERS/Nathan Howard) Speaking at a campaign rally in Nebraska, President Donald Trump suggested that Iran could “take out” Los Angeles and San Diego, the Los Angeles Times reported on October 5.
- "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."
- “They can take out a city, let ’em take out Los Angeles, let ’em take out San Diego.” The crowd at the rally cheered at the proposition.
- San Diego, the nation's eighth-largest city, has major military installations in and around it, including: "San Diego is not collateral damage," San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria wrote on X.
- San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria also commented on Trump’s remarks, stating that his city will never be “a small price to pay.” “San Diego is not collateral damage,” Gloria wrote.
- "The President of the United States suggested that a foreign government attack Los Angeles. His statements against our city are dangerous and could potentially compromise our safety," she wrote on X.
- "They can take out a city. Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego," Trump said to applause from the crowd.
- In the face of irresponsible threats, as Angelenos, we know how to stand together and protect our city." Meanwhile, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria wrote, "San Diego is not collateral damage.
- Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called Trump's remarks "dangerous" and suggested they could "potentially compromise our safety."
- "And they might keep going a little long. You know, they always say they have a big threshold for pain. They need it, let me tell you they need it. But it's going to end very soon, and it'll end one way or the other," he added.
What's still developing
- The president made the new argument last week that his initial four- to six-week timeline had just been about the time it would take to eradicate the nuclear threat from Iran and not the time it would take to conclude the entire war.
- He then went on to say the country should take aim at Los Angeles and San Diego.
- U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were "strong indications" that Iran played a role in alleged plot that would have targeted the base.
- "I vehemently disagree with President Trump’s comments. America must stand up to Iran and defend our interests, but the first responsibility of our Commander in Chief is to protect the American people and our homeland," Desmond, a Navy veteran, wrote.
- Newsom, who has often sparred with the president, repeatedly condemned Trump’s remarks Monday night, calling them "disgusting and disqualifying" in a second social media post.
- "The role of a president is to protect the country, not to actively threaten it and encourage attacks on American lives," Bass said in a statement on social media.
- "No American city is expendable, and no American family should ever be treated as collateral damage."