Trump says Iran can 'take out' LA, San Diego — SkimNews
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- Trump suggested Iran could 'take out' Los Angeles and San Diego during a Nebraska midterm rally, framing it as a 'small price to pay' for national and global safety amid the ongoing war with Iran.
- Gavin Newsom called Trump 'deranged' in a social media video, citing the president’s prior deployment of federal troops to Los Angeles and warning the comments reveal a dangerous mindset.
- Jim Desmond, a Republican House candidate near San Diego, publicly disagreed with Trump, stating no American city is expendable and the commander in chief must protect the homeland.
- Kevin Kiley, a California Republican congressman, labeled Trump’s comments 'unhelpful,' joining rare intra-party criticism of the president’s rhetoric on national security.
- The White House dismissed the backlash as a 'media freakout,' with Communications Director Steven Cheung clarifying that Trump was illustrating the threat of a nuclear Iran, not endorsing actual attacks.
Why it matters: Trump’s comments risk alienating moderate voters and Republican candidates in competitive districts, especially in California, where 52 House seats are at stake. With midterm elections weeks away, intra-party dissent signals growing unease over rhetoric that could jeopardize GOP congressional gains.
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