Donald J. Trump suggested during a campaign rally in Nebraska that allowing Iran to “take out” Los Angeles or San Diego would be an acceptable cost of the ongoing war.
While discussing the conflict, Trump described its economic impact as a “small price to pay” to keep the country safe. He then bizarrely applied that logic concerning the possibility of an attack on a major American city, telling the crowd, “They can take out a city. Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego.”
Even more disturbing was the crowd’s response: they cheered rather than recoiled. We’re used to Trump’s deranged remarks, but there’s something extremely disturbing about the idea of thousands of people enthusiastically applauding the notion that millions of their fellow Americans could be sacrificed as an acceptable “price to pay.”
Trump’s comments immediately drew condemnation from California officials. Gov. Gavin Newsom called the president “deranged and dangerous,” while Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said a president’s responsibility is to protect Americans, not threaten them or encourage attacks against them.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria similarly rejected the idea that his city could be treated as collateral damage, saying San Diego residents are “not expendable” and should not be considered a “small price to pay.”
Both cities overwhelmingly rejected him at the ballot box. That’s not a coincidence.
Let’s be clear: The President is advocating for an attack on 10+ million U.S. residents in two of America’s largest cities.
This is not normal. None of this is.
And we will continue to remind folks of that every day.
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) October 6, 2026
The President of the United States suggested that a foreign government attack Los Angeles. His statements against our city are dangerous and could potentially compromise our safety.
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 irresponsible threats, as Angelenos, we know how to stand together and protect our city.
— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) October 6, 2026
San Diego is not collateral damage.
We are not expendable.
And we are never a “small price to pay.”
Keep our city out of your reckless war talk.
— San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria (@MayorToddGloria) October 6, 2026