President Trump told a cheering Nebraska crowd to let Iran “take out” Los Angeles and San Diego, calling it “a very small price to pay,” and California’s loudest voices erupted within hours.
Quick Take
- Trump made the remarks at a Grand Island, Nebraska rally on October 5, 2026, while discussing Iran and gas prices.
- Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called the comments “dangerous” and a threat to the city’s safety.
- Governor Gavin Newsom labeled Trump “deranged and dangerous” in a public post.
- San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria insisted his city is “not expendable” and “not collateral damage.”
- Several reports note the line may have been delivered as a joke, and it’s unclear if it was based on any real intelligence about Iran’s capabilities.
What Trump Actually Said On Stage
Speaking at his Nebraska rally, Trump described Iran’s nuclear program as an existential danger before pivoting to a jarring line. “They can take out a city,” he said. “Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego. This is a very small price to pay.” The crowd reportedly cheered. He tied the comment to his broader argument that stopping an Iranian nuclear weapon justifies any cost, including higher gas prices.
Reporters on the scene said Trump’s intent was not immediately clear. Some outlets described the remark as possibly delivered in jest, while others noted it came right after he bragged about “kicking Iran’s ass” in the ongoing conflict. Without a full official transcript, both readings have stayed alive online, letting critics and defenders each grab the version that fits their argument.
California Officials Respond With Fury
Mayor Bass wasted no time. “The president of the United States suggested that a foreign government attack Los Angeles,” she said. “His statements against our city are dangerous and could potentially compromise our safety”. Her statement set the tone for a wave of condemnation from state and local leaders who said the president had casually gambled with millions of lives for a applause line at a midterm rally.
Mayor Gloria pushed back just as hard, rejecting the idea that San Diego could ever be sacrificed for political points. “San Diego is not collateral damage,” he wrote. “We are not expendable. And we are never a ‘small price to pay'”. Governor Newsom went further, branding Trump “deranged and dangerous” and accusing him of inviting a foreign enemy to strike American soil.
Washington Democrats Pile On
Senator Adam Schiff and former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra joined the chorus, framing the remarks as proof Trump views Californians as disposable. Becerra noted that “thirteen million Californians call LA and San Diego counties home”. The reaction spread fast across social media, with clipped quotes racing ahead of any fuller context from the rally itself.
Trump suggests Los Angeles and San Diego could be a “small price to pay” in the Iran war.
Speaking at a Nebraska rally, Trump said:
“It's a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe. They can take out a city, let ’em take out Los Angeles, let ’em… pic.twitter.com/SYvAhewiRZ
— Activewurld (@Activewurld_) October 6, 2026
None of this backlash proves Trump ordered or desired an attack on American cities. Multiple reports acknowledge his true meaning was ambiguous, and it remains unclear whether Iran has anywhere near the capability to strike a U.S. city with a missile. Common sense says a president warning about the cost of letting a hostile regime get nuclear weapons is different from a president inviting an attack, and that distinction matters even when the wording is reckless.
Why The Words Still Matter
Presidents don’t get a pass for sloppy rhetoric about American cities, even at a rally meant to fire up a crowd. Trump’s defenders can argue he was making a point about Iran’s nuclear threat, not literally rooting for an attack. But elected leaders charged with protecting Los Angeles and San Diego have every right to demand their president speak about their constituents with more care, especially during an active conflict with Iran.
The fight now moves into familiar territory: a president who speaks bluntly and critics who amplify the most alarming reading available. Without a full transcript or video showing the complete context, the argument over whether this was dark humor or dangerous carelessness will keep playing out on cable news and social feeds long after the Nebraska crowd went home.
Sources:
usatoday.com, forbes.com, mynewsla.com
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