Story perspectives

Newsom Orders Threat Monitoring After Trump Iran Warning

By Drooid · Oct 11, 2026, 4:06 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump warned at a Grand Island rally that Iran could “take out” Los Angeles and San Diego on Oct. 5, 2026.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said the remarks were misinterpreted and called the media reaction a “freakout.”
Governor Gavin Newsom called the comments dangerous, labeled Trump “deranged,” and ordered the State Threat Assessment Center to monitor responses.

History

Historical Context

The 1979 seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran on 4 November 1979 saw Iranian students hold 52 Americans for 444 days, prompting President Jimmy Carter to label the act blackmail and warn the nation. Trump’s 2026 rally warning that Iran could “take out” Los Angeles mirrors that same presidential use of stark language to rally security concerns.

1 of 2

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump warned at a Grand Island rally that Iran could “take out” Los Angeles and San Diego on Oct. 5, 2026.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said the remarks were misinterpreted and called the media reaction a “freakout.”
Governor Gavin Newsom called the comments dangerous, labeled Trump “deranged,” and ordered the State Threat Assessment Center to monitor responses.

1 / 2