The White House on Tuesday rejected criticism of President Trump's remarks at a Nebraska rally, where he appeared to suggest Iran could "take out" Los Angeles and San Diego. Communications director Steven Cheung dismissed the backlash as a "media freakout" not grounded in reality.
In a post on X, Cheung argued that Trump was making the case that a nuclear-armed Iran would pose a direct threat to U.S. cities, and that his administration's actions had prevented such a scenario. "He was clearly stating U.S. cities would have been threatened if a nuclear Iran hadn't been stopped," Cheung wrote. "America is safer because of the President. Iran has no nuclear, no navy, no air force, and no money."
The White House's rapid response account also fired back at a Los Angeles Times post that characterized Trump as suggesting "letting Iran take out" the two California cities. "No, he didn't, you buffoons," the account wrote. "He was saying the U.S. is fighting to STOP Iran from having the ability to take out LA and San Diego with a nuclear weapon — which they would if they had the chance."
Trump made the comments during a midterm rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, while discussing the ongoing conflict with Iran. "It's a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, for keeping our country safe," he said, apparently referencing the military campaign, before adding that Iran could "take out a city." He then continued: "Let 'em take out Los Angeles, let 'em take out San Diego. This is a very small price to pay, and it's going to be over with very soon."
The remarks drew sharp condemnation from California Democrats, including Governor Gavin Newsom, who is weighing a potential 2028 presidential bid. "After sending the National Guard to occupy California, Donald Trump is now saying our foreign enemies should 'take out' Los Angeles and San Diego," Newsom wrote on social media. "He is deranged and dangerous."
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called the comments "dangerous and could potentially compromise our safety," while San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said in a statement that his city was "not collateral damage." Their reactions underscore the political fallout from Trump's rhetoric, which critics argue could inflame tensions and undermine public confidence.
The dispute comes amid broader friction between the White House and California, including Trump's recent deployment of National Guard troops to the state. Some observers see the Iran remarks as part of a pattern of provocative statements that have defined Trump's political style, as noted in Phil Collins's critique of Trump's approach.
White House officials maintain that Trump's comments were taken out of context and that his focus is on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. However, the controversy is unlikely to fade, especially as Trump's approval ratings remain at record lows ahead of the midterms. The episode also echoes previous clashes between Trump and Republican senators, such as his recent doxxing of Senator Tom Cotton, which rattled the GOP conference.
As the midterm campaign heats up, Trump's rhetoric on Iran and California is likely to remain a flashpoint, with Democrats using it to paint the president as erratic and dangerous. The White House, for its part, shows no sign of backing down, doubling down on its defense of the president's remarks.
