Trump Remarks on Iran Draw Criticism

PHOTO CAPTION: President Donald Trump speaks with reporters on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., Oct. 3, 2026. Two days later, at a rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, Trump said Iran could “take out” Los Angeles or San Diego and called it a “very small price to pay.” Official White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian.President Donald Trump speaks with reporters on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., Oct. 3, 2026. Two days later, at a rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, Trump said Iran could “take out” Los Angeles or San Diego and called it a “very small price to pay.” Official White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian.

President Donald Trump drew immediate backlash after saying during a Nebraska rally that Iran could “take out” Los Angeles or San Diego and describing it as a “very small price to pay.”
Trump made the remarks Monday night in Grand Island while discussing the ongoing war with Iran, its costs and his expectation that the conflict would end soon.
“It’s a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe,” Trump said.
He then added that an adversary could “take out a city,” specifically naming Los Angeles and San Diego, before again describing it as a very small price to pay.
Trump continued by saying the war was nearly over and predicting that gasoline and other prices would fall once the conflict ended. Trump Archive
The comments quickly spread nationally Tuesday morning and drew criticism from officials in both cities.
San Diego’s inclusion is particularly notable because of the city’s enormous military presence.
The region includes Naval Base San Diego, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, among numerous other military facilities.
Rep. Scott Peters said Tuesday that San Diego is home to approximately 115,000 active-duty service members, along with their families.
He also pointed to sailors and Marines connected to the USS Abraham Lincoln and the current Iran deployment. NBC San Diego
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria rejected Trump’s characterization, saying the city was not expendable or acceptable collateral damage.
Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also criticized the president’s comments. Reuters
Criticism did not come exclusively from Democrats.
Jim Desmond, a Republican congressional candidate and Navy veteran in San Diego County, said he strongly disagreed with Trump.
Desmond said he had served to protect Americans and argued that no American city should be considered expendable or acceptable collateral damage. NBC San Diego
Trump’s remarks came as he defended his handling of the Iran war and addressed the economic consequences of the conflict.
The war has disrupted global energy supplies and contributed to higher fuel prices, creating political pressure on the administration.
Earlier Monday, Trump signed an executive order intended to provide temporary relief from certain federal diesel taxes and restrictions. The White House
During the Nebraska rally, Trump said the costs associated with the war were temporary and argued that the conflict was helping protect the United States and the world.
He then made the Los Angeles and San Diego comments.
The available video and transcript do not show Trump announcing a new military policy, issuing an order involving either city or saying that the United States would intentionally allow Iran to attack California.
The remarks were made during a political rally while Trump was defending the war and discussing its costs.
But his decision to specifically name two American cities, including one of the largest military communities in the country, immediately became the focus of national attention. Trump Archive
Reuters reported Tuesday that the White House had not immediately provided additional explanation for the remarks.