Californian politicians have slammed Donald Trump as "deranged and dangerous" after the US President appeared to suggest Iran could "take out" a major city like Los Angeles or San Diego with a nuclear weapon.
The comments prompted a swift rebuke from the state's Democratic leaders and some Republicans, though the White House said Trump was referring to the threat of a nuclear Iran and described the "media freakout" as "not rooted in reality".
Trump, speaking at a rally in the US state of Nebraska to shore up Republican support as the midterms loom, discussed economic sacrifices and an impending "tremendous victory" in the November elections.
Gavin Newsom and California mayors rebuke the President’s remarks, while the White House insists he was warning about the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran. (Source: Reuters)
"It's a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, for keeping our country safe," he said, appearing to refer to high fuel prices.
"They could take out a city. Let 'em take out Los Angeles, let 'em take out San Diego. This is a very small price to pay, and it's going to be over with very soon," he said to cheers from the crowd in rural Grand Island.
"It's essentially almost over with, but it's going to end very soon, and it's going to end one way or the other."
'This is not normal' - Newsom
California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who is seen as a potential 2028 presidential candidate, denounced the Republican president as "deranged and dangerous".
"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 wrote on X.
"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. And we will continue to remind folks of that every day."
In a post on X, White House Communications Director Stephen Cheung described the "media freakout" over Trump's comments as "not rooted in reality".
"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."
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, also a Democrat, said in a statement Trump's comment "could potentially compromise our safety".
Todd Gloria, the mayor of San Diego, said his city was “not collateral damage” in the president’s war.
“We are not expendable. And we are never a 'small price to pay'. Keep our city out of your reckless war talk."
Republican Jim Desmond, who is standing in a San Diego based seat in the House of Representatives, also pushed back.
"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."
Los Angeles and San Diego rank as the largest and second-largest cities in California by population.
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including the washup from the last night’s election debate, and an NBA star shows up at a French rugby training. (Source: 1News)
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