Trump Sparks Controversy Over Remarks on Letting LA and San Diego Be 'Destroyed' Amid Iran Conflict

U.S. President Donald Trump has sparked controversy by suggesting, while arguing that Americans must bear the economic burdens of a war with Iran, that it would be acceptable even if Iran were to destroy Los Angeles and San Diego.

According to The New York Times and Reuters on the 6th (local time), President Trump addressed rising prices for fuel, fertilizer, and other goods resulting from the war with Iran during a speech in Nebraska the previous day, stating, "It's a little high because of the war," and adding, "That's a small price to pay."

He also stated, "It's a small price to pay to keep the world safe, to keep our country safe. They might destroy a city. Let them destroy LA. Let them destroy San Diego."

While President Trump did not explicitly clarify who "they" referred to in the remarks, the statements were interpreted as implying that even if Iran were to attack these cities, it would be unavoidable, given that the comments were made while explaining the justification for the war with Iran.

Some interpretations also suggested that by emphasizing how U.S. cities could have faced attacks if U.S. military operations had not halted Iran's nuclear weapons development, he was arguing that an Iranian attack on U.S. cities would be a "small price" worth accepting for national security.

Political circles in California, where both cities are located, strongly reacted against these remarks.

Los Angeles and San Diego are California's first and second-largest cities by population, respectively.

California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, took to X to criticize President Trump as "unhinged and dangerous."

He continued, "First he sends the National Guard and Marines to occupy California, and now he is telling our foreign enemies that they should 'destroy' LA and San Diego."

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, also a Democrat, stated, "A U.S. president suggested that a foreign government attack LA," adding, "His remarks targeting our city are dangerous and could potentially threaten our safety."

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, likewise a Democrat, urged, "We are never a 'small price to pay,'" and demanded, "Keep our city out of your reckless war rhetoric."

Jim Desmond, a Republican candidate running for the U.S. House of Representatives in California, also distanced himself from the president, stating, "I strongly disagree with President Trump's remarks. No American city is expendable."

Some observers speculate that President Trump's latest remarks could become another negative factor in the midterm elections.

As the controversy escalated, the White House issued a sharp refutation.

Via its official X account, the White House stated that President Trump was merely addressing the threat from Iran, criticizing the U.S. media by claiming that the "hallucinating media" was fueling the controversy "with zero basis in reality."

It added, "President Trump made it explicitly clear that U.S. cities would have faced threats if he had not stopped Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons."

(Photo: Getty Images)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.