Full Breakdown
Trump’s “Take Out” Remarks on Los Angeles and San Diego Spark Political Firestorm
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
At a Republican rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, President Donald Trump warned that Iran could “take out” Los Angeles and San Diego if it were allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. The comment was delivered amid a broader defense of the ongoing war with Iran and drew immediate applause from the crowd.
Background & Context
Trump has framed rising gasoline prices as a cost of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear capability. He has linked the war to price spikes on March 8, March 16 and May 5, describing the expense as a “small price to pay.” The Iran-U.S. conflict has lasted more than seven months, with the administration arguing that stopping Iran’s nuclear program is essential to U.S. security. Defense analysts note that Iran’s longest-range missiles reach roughly 1,200 miles—far short of the 5,600-plus miles needed to strike the continental United States.
Timeline
- October 5, 2026 – Trump makes the “take out” remarks at the Nebraska rally.
- October 6, 2026 – California officials issue condemnations; the White House posts a rebuttal.
- September 23, 2026 – Gov. Gavin Newsom discusses the incident in a New York interview.
- November 3, 2026 – Midterm elections, with Trump campaigning in red-state battlegrounds.
Data & Statistics
- The two cities together house 10 million+ residents.
- 115,000 active-duty service members are stationed in San Diego, home to the Pacific Fleet’s main base.
- Iran’s longest-range ballistic missiles have a maximum reach of ? 1,200 miles, compared with the ? 5,600 miles required to hit Los Angeles or San Diego.
Official Statements & Responses
White House communications director Steven Cheung called the backlash a “media freakout” and asserted that Trump was merely stating that U.S. cities would be threatened if a nuclear Iran were not stopped.
Trump later told a Texas rally audience that the United States “will not let that happen” and that his administration was protecting the country from any such attack.
Criticism & Opposition
California Governor Gavin Newsom called the president’s comments “deranged and dangerous,” accusing Trump of putting a target on the two largest cities in the state.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass labeled the statements “dangerous” and warned they could compromise safety.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said his city “is not collateral damage” and “we are not expendable.”
Republican congressional candidate Jim Desmond, a former mayor and Navy veteran, said he “vehemently disagrees” with the remarks, emphasizing the commander-in-chief’s duty to protect the American people.
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) described the notion of sacrificing two major cities as “an illegal war” that treats millions of lives as expendable.
Verbatim Quotes
- “They can take out a city. Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego,” — Donald Trump, president
- “After sending the National Guard and Marines to occupy California, Donald Trump is now saying our foreign enemies should ‘take out’ Los Angeles and San Diego,” — California Gov. Gavin Newsom
- “I am directing the State Threat Assessment Center to actively monitor the situation in the event that foreign actors interpret the president's remarks as an invitation to target California,” — Gavin Newsom
- “I vehemently disagree with President Trump’s comments. America must stand up to Iran and defend our interests, but the first responsibility of our Commander in Chief is to protect the American people and our homeland,” — Republican Jim Desmond, mayor