White House pushes back on characterization of Trump’s Iran comments on LA, San Diego

The White House pushed back on critics’ characterization of President Trump’s comments at a rally on Monday evening suggesting Iran could “take out” Los Angeles and San Diego.

“The media freakout over President Trump’s comments is not rooted in reality,” White House communications director Steven Cheung wrote in a post on X on Tuesday.

“He was clearly stating U.S. cities would have been threatened if a nuclear Iran hadn’t been stopped. America is safer because of the President. Iran has no nuclear, no navy, no air force, and no money,” he continued.

The White House’s Rapid Response X account hit back at a Los Angeles Times post on X, which said Trump suggested “letting Iran take out” the California cities.

“No, he didn’t, you buffoons. 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,” the White House post read.

Trump originally made the remarks at a midterm rally in Grand Island, Nebraska.

“It’s a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, for keeping our country safe,” the president said, apparently speaking about the Iran war, before adding that Iran could “take out a city.”

“Let ‘em take out Los Angeles, let ‘em take out San Diego,” he continued. “This is a very small price to pay, and it’s going to be over with very soon.”

The comments elicited backlash from Golden State Democrats, including Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), who is exploring a 2028 presidential run.

“After sending the National Guard to occupy California, Donald Trump is now saying our foreign enemies should ‘take out’ Los Angeles and San Diego,” the governor wrote in a social media post. “He is deranged and dangerous.”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) called the comments “dangerous and could potentially compromise our safety,” while San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria (D) said in his own statement the city was “not collateral damage.”