NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Some of President Donald Trump’s most frequent media critics are turning their attention to Democrats’ latest attack on the president, dismissing claims that Trump was suggesting Iran should “eliminate” Los Angeles and San Diego.
“What Trump means here is that if he didn’t start a war with Iran, then San Diego and Los Angeles would be at risk of nuclear war,” wrote Michael Scherer, a writer for The Atlantic, on X.
Trump discussed the war with Iran and the threat of Tehran acquiring nuclear weapons at a rally in Nebraska on Monday, before invoking Los Angeles and San Diego.
“They can take over a city. They can take over Los Angeles. They can take over San Diego. It’s a very small price to pay,” Trump said.
Donald Trump accuses ‘fake news’ of wanting us to lose the war in Iran, criticizes New York Times reporting
U.S. President Donald Trump finishes his appearance during a campaign rally at the Pinnacle Bank Expo Center on the Nebraska State Fairgrounds October 5, 2026, in Grand Island, Nebraska. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
The remarks quickly sparked an argument over what Trump meant, with Democrats and several media outlets calling them a suggestion that Iran would be allowed to attack the two California cities.
One of the accounts amplifying the clip, Headquarters (@HQNewsNow), previously operated under the name “KamalaHQ” after initially serving as the Biden campaign’s “BidenHQ” quick response account.
Several prominent journalists who have frequently scrutinized Trump are pushing back on Democrats’ latest attack on the president, rejecting claims that Trump suggested Iran should “eliminate” Los Angeles and San Diego.
“This is not a direct quote from Trump, and I really don’t think it’s a correct paraphrase. Trump has repeatedly argued that the consequences of war, like rising gas prices, are a small price to pay compared to what an unchecked Iran could do,” CNN fact-checker Daniel Dale said.
“My reading: The ‘small price to pay’ comment refers to the costs of war — like gas prices — not the idea of a nuclear attack by Iran on LA and SD,” wrote CNN senior reporter Aaron Blake.
“Unpopular opinion: I don’t think Trump was suggesting letting Iran attack ‘blue cities.’ I think he meant that if Iran acquired a nuclear weapon, Los Angeles and San Diego could be targets given that they are two major cities on the West Coast,” wrote Sarah Matthews, a former Trump staffer turned Biden voter.
FETTERMAN rips into DEMS for hating everything Trump does, says party can’t resist worst impulses
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he leaves the White House on the South Lawn in Washington, DC, September 26, 2026. (Reuters/Annabelle Gordon)
Democrats quickly seized on clips and quotes from Trump’s rally, saying he suggested Iran should be allowed to attack two California cities.
“After sending the National Guard and Marines to occupy California, Donald Trump is now saying our foreign enemies should ‘eliminate’ Los Angeles and San Diego. He is deranged and dangerous,” California Governor Gavin Newsom said.
“Thirteen million Californians call Los Angeles and San Diego counties home. Their lives are not a ‘small price to pay’ or a guideline for Donald Trump,” said California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra.
4 HOUSE REPUBLICANS REBELL AGAINST Trump, vote with Democrats to block Iran war powers
U.S. President Donald Trump answers questions from the media during a bilateral meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in the Oval Office of the White House July 21, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
“The President of the United States has suggested that a foreign government is attacking Los Angeles. His statements against our city are dangerous and could potentially compromise our security. The role of a president is to protect the country, not to actively threaten it and encourage attacks on American lives. In the face of reckless threats, as Angelenos, we know how to stand together and protect our city,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
“Disturbed. Delusional. And soon to be defeated. Calling millions of Americans collateral damage in his illegal war that no one asked for is a special kind of depravity, the kind that only a man as feeble and feeble as Donald Trump could sink into,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said.
“It’s such a sick and evil thing to say. Especially because he’s not saying it as a joke. Just as sick as his supporters are laughing about it,” said Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy.
White House communications director Steven Cheung cited “media panic,” saying critics’ claims were “not grounded in reality.”
“He clearly stated that American cities would have been threatened if a nuclear Iran had not been stopped. America is safer because of the president. Iran has no nuclear weapons, no navy, no air force and no money,” Cheung wrote on X.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“No, he didn’t, you buffoons. He was saying that the United States is fighting to prevent Iran from having the ability to wipe out Los Angeles and San Diego with a nuclear weapon – which it would do if it had the chance,” the White House rapid response readout said.
Gn headline
