President Donald Trump is facing criticism from both parties after suggesting at a rally that Iran could "take out" two of California's largest cities if it developed nuclear weapons.
Speaking at a rally in Nebraska on Sunday, October 5, Trump defended his military campaign against Iran. He argued that stopping Tehran from getting a nuclear weapon was worth the cost. "Let them take out Los Angeles, let them take out San Diego," the president said, describing what he believes could have happened if Iran had been allowed to build a bomb.
Trump said the conflict with Iran was "essentially almost over with." He called the economic strain linked to the war a "small price to pay" for stopping Iran's nuclear ambitions.
California leaders react
The remarks quickly drew anger in California, where many people heard them as dismissive of millions of Americans.
Governor Gavin Newsom called the comments "deranged and dangerous" and "disgusting and disqualifying." Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called them "dangerous." San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria put it simply: "We are not expendable."
Criticism from Republicans too
The pushback wasn't limited to Democrats. Jim Desmond, a Navy veteran and Republican running for Congress in San Diego County, criticized the president on social media. He said that "no American city is expendable."
That kind of public criticism from within Trump's own party is unusual, especially from a Republican competing in a California race weeks before the midterm elections.
White House: comments were misunderstood
The White House defended the president. Communications Director Steven Cheung said Trump was explaining that American cities would have been in danger if Iran had become a nuclear power, not suggesting such an attack would be acceptable. Cheung added that Iran no longer has nuclear weapons, a navy, or an air force.
Rising tensions with Iran
The controversy comes amid high tension in the region. This week, satellite images showed what analysts called "significant renewed activity" at an underground Iranian nuclear site near Tehran that Israel had bombed earlier. That raises questions about whether Iran is trying to rebuild its program.
Trump has also said he personally believes Iran was behind the September 30 attempt by an Omani co-pilot to hijack and crash a flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv. Israeli officials and Vice President JD Vance have said it is too early to tell.
What's next
Trump's California comments are likely to stay a political flashpoint heading into the midterms. Democrats are expected to use the remarks in campaign messaging, and some Republicans in competitive California districts may have to choose between defending the president and standing with their voters.
The question now is whether the White House explanation will be enough to calm the anger, or whether the president's words will follow his party to the ballot box in November.
Sources: ABC News, CNN and the Times of Israel.
