Donald Trump has sparked outrage after suggesting Iran could "take out" Los Angeles and San Diego in a wild tirade. The US President also left critics fuming as he claimed higher living costs linked to the conflict with Iran were a "small price to pay" for keeping the country safe.
Remarks at Nebraska rally
Addressing supporters at a campaign event in Grand Island, Nebraska, Trump stunned listeners by brushing off potential Iranian strikes against major West Coast hubs.
"They can take out a city," he told the crowd. "Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego. It'll be over very soon."
Democratic backlash
Local Democrats wasted no time tearing into the Republican leader over the incendiary comments. California Governor Gavin Newsom took to X (formerly Twitter) to launch a furious blast at the President.
Newsom said: "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. He is deranged and dangerous."
Newsom's press office doubled down on the attack, saying: "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."
Mayors respond
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass accused the President of making "irresponsible threats" that "could potentially compromise" safety in the metropolis.
"The role of a president is to protect the country, not to actively threaten it and encourage attacks on American lives," she said.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria insisted his city, home to crucial US military installations, was "not collateral damage" in Trump's foreign policy gamble.
"We are not expendable. And we are never a 'small price to pay,'" Gloria posted online. "Keep our city out of your reckless war talk."
White House response
As backlash mounted over the rambling 90-minute speech, the White House scrambled to contain the damage. White House Communications Director Stephen Cheung dismissed the anger as a "media freakout" that was "not rooted in reality".
Cheung said: "He was clearly stating US 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."
The White House rapid response team also went on the attack, labelling reporters "buffoons" and claiming Trump was arguing the US was working to prevent strikes on American soil. US defence officials have previously noted that Iran currently lacks the capability to launch a direct missile attack against the country's mainland.
