Trump’s comment that Iran could ‘take out’ LA, SD draws criticism from leaders

LOS ANGELES (KESQ) - President Donald Trump suggestion at a campaign rally Grand Island, Nebraska today that Iran could "take out" Los Angeles and San Diego drew criticism from Governor Gavin Newsom and other California Democratic elected officials.   

"The president of the United States suggested that a foreign government attack Los Angeles. His statements against our city are dangerous and could potentially compromise our safety,'' Bass said in a statement. "The role of a president is to protect the country, not to actively threaten it and encourage attacks on American lives. In the face of irresponsible threats, as Angelenos, we know how to stand together and protect our city.''

"San Diego is not collateral damage,'' San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria wrote on X. "We are not expendable. And we are never a "small price to pay. Keep our city out of your reckless war talk.''

Trump said he wanted to "see a tremendous victory" in the November election "cause it verifies all the things we did. And again, remember, with the war it's just artificial, it's a little bit high.   

"It's a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe,'' he continued. "They can take out a city, let 'em take out Los Angeles, let 'em take out San Diego. This is a very small price to pay."   

On his X account, Gov. Gavin Newsom called Trump, "deranged and dangerous."  

Marni von Wilpert, San Diego city councilmember and Democratic candidate for California’s 48th Congressional District, called the comments "appalling and terrifying."

Donald Trump says Los Angeles and San Diego being attacked would be ‘a small price to pay’ for his reckless Iran war. That is appalling and terrifying. Californians are already paying for this terrible war every time we fill up the tank. Now, the President is talking about a foreign government attacking a United States city as if it was just the cost of doing business.

This is an impeachable offense by the Commander in Chief, who swore an oath to protect our country. Our homes, our families and our communities cannot be treated as collateral damage or a political punch line by this President. It’s indefensible that Jim Desmond continues to support Trump’s war and continues to be backed and funded by a President who jokes about the 1.4 million people in San Diego being “taken out” by a foreign adversary.

We’ve paid enough for this war. It’s time to end it.

— Marni von Wilpert for Congress (@marnivonwilpert) October 6, 2026

Wilpert's Republican opponent in the Congressional race, San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond, said he "vehemently" disagreed with 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,'' Desmond wrote on social media. "As a Navy veteran, I served to protect Americans, not write off American cities as an acceptable price of war. Our job is to keep Americans safe, stand up to our enemies, and make sure a threat like that never becomes reality. No American city is expendable, and no American family should ever be treated as collateral damage."

There was no immediate reply to an email sent late Monday night to the White House Press Office seeking a response to any of the comments.