AXIOS (Avery Lotz) - Trump remarks that Iran could "take out" Los Angeles, San Diego draw backlash
California leaders blasted President Trump after he said during a Monday rally about Iran , "Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego." The big picture: The backlash — and the White House's insistence that Trump was misunderstood — underscored the ambiguity of his meandering speech: An argument that the war was worth enduring to protect Americans came out sounding like an invitation to attack two U.S. cities. - An administration account posted on X that Trump meant that the U.S. was fighting Iran to "STOP Iran from having the ability to take out LA and San Diego." Driving the news: Faced with an unpopular war and stubbornly high gas prices, Trump seemingly argued that the current economic pain is "a small price to…
What was the primary economic context provided for President Trump's remarks during his Nebraska rally?
President Trump made these remarks while addressing an "unpopular war" and "stubbornly high gas prices," framing the ongoing conflict as a necessary sacrifice to keep the country and the world safe.
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What is the military significance of San Diego mentioned in the context of these remarks?
San Diego is a significant military hub; a 2025 report from the San Diego Military Advisory Council indicates that military bases across the city employ more than 136,000 active duty members and civilians. Representative Scott Peters noted that the city is a "proud military town" with 115,000 active duty servicemembers and their families.
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What were the specific reactions from California Governor Gavin Newsom, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass?
California Governor Gavin Newsom called the President "deranged and dangerous," claiming the President was suggesting foreign enemies should "take out" the cities. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria stated, "San Diego is not collateral damage. We are not expendable." Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass stated his comments were "dangerous" and could "compromise our safety," asserting that a president's role is to protect the country rather than threaten it.
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How did the White House respond to the backlash regarding President Trump's remarks about Los Angeles and San Diego?
The White House and administration accounts clarified that the President was misunderstood. Communications Director Steven Cheung argued that Trump was "clearly stating U.S. cities would have been threatened if a nuclear Iran hadn't been stopped," emphasizing that the goal was to stop Iran from having the ability to attack those cities.
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What specific comments did President Trump make regarding Iran and the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego during his Nebraska rally?
During a rally in Nebraska, President Trump argued that the current economic pain and war were a small price to pay for national and global safety. He stated, "They can take out a city. Let them take, let it — let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego. That's — this is a very small price to pay, and it's gonna be over very soon."
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