Top line
President Donald Trump drew backlash from Democratic leaders Monday night by suggesting that Iran could eliminate cities like Los Angeles or San Diego and that high gas prices caused by the ongoing war were a “small price to pay” to keep the world and the United States safe.
President Donald Trump gestures during a campaign rally at the Pinnacle Bank Expo Center in Grand Island, Nebraska.
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Key facts
Speaking to protesters in Nebraska, Trump suggested that high fuel prices caused by the war in Iran were “just artificial” and “a little high.”
The president then claimed that Iran could “wipe out a city,” without providing any evidence that the country possessed weapons of mass destruction or long-range weapons to do such a thing.
Trump then said, “Let them take over Los Angeles. Let them take over San Diego,” although it is unclear whether he was daring Iran to attack the cities or warning that this could happen.
The president then said it was a “small price to pay” and insisted the war would end soon and was “essentially almost over.”
Trump’s remarks spark backlash
In a post on, California Governor Gavin Newsom echoed Trump’s comments and wrote: “After sending the National Guard and Marines to occupy California, Donald Trump now says our foreign enemies should ‘eliminate’ Los Angeles and San Diego. He is deranged and dangerous.” Senator Alex PadillaD-California, written the: “At least 19 service members paid the ultimate sacrifice in Trump’s unauthorized war against Iran, including Nebraska’s Noah Tietjens. Now Trump is in Nebraska inviting an attack on American soil, endangering millions of Americans and hundreds of thousands of our service members while trying to get Americans to cheer an attack on our own country. What kind of commander in chief does that?” Senator Adam SchiffDemocrat of California, also called out the president on X, writing: “The president says the war in Iran will end ‘very soon.’ How many times have we heard this promise? And if that means attacks on two major American cities, he doesn’t care about the cost.” Representative Sara JacobsD-Calif., whose congressional district includes parts of San Diego, tweeted: “My constituents – including many active duty military, veterans and their families – are not acceptable collateral damage in Trump’s stupid war.” Representative Scott PetersD-Calif., whose district also covers areas of San Diego, wrote on solve the problem.”
What did the mayors of Los Angeles and San Diego say?
In an article on San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria wrote: “San Diego is not collateral damage. We are not replaceable. And we are never a ‘small price to pay.’ Keep our city away from your reckless war talk. Karen Bass, Mayor of Los Angeles also chastised Trump for his comments, tweeting: “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 come together and protect our city.”
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