Trump says losing LA, San Diego a 'small price' in Iran war

President Donald Trump told a campaign rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, on Monday that allowing Iran to "take out" Los Angeles or San Diego would be a "very small price to pay" in the ongoing conflict. He framed higher gasoline prices as an artificial, temporary cost of preventing a nuclear-armed Iran from threatening U.S. cities. The crowd responded with cheers to the remarks.

California officials from both parties condemned the comments. Governor Gavin Newsom called Trump "deranged and dangerous," while Republican congressional candidate Jim Desmond, a Navy veteran backed by Trump, said he "vehemently" disagreed and that no American city is expendable. San Diego Councilmember Marni von Wilpert labeled the remark an impeachable offense.

“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.”

The White House insisted Trump's words were selectively edited. Spokesperson Steven Cheung stated the president was arguing that U.S. cities would be threatened if a nuclear Iran were not stopped, not inviting an attack. The Los Angeles Times and other outlets ran clips the White House labeled "manufactured outrage."

Trump revisited the theme Wednesday at a San Antonio rally, saying, "Let them hit a missile into San Diego or Los Angeles on the way. You want to see a horror show?" He added the U.S. would protect its cities and not allow such attacks. Critics, including the Democratic Party's official account, called the renewed rhetoric "disgusting and dangerous."

An Associated Press-NORC poll cited in reports shows nearly 70% of Americans believe the Iran war is not worth fighting, with 65% linking higher prices to the conflict. The war has entered its seventh month.