Donald Trump Fails to Heal Wounds with Californian Cities Clarification – Donald Trump has sought to clarify his controversial remarks in which he invited Iran to strike two Californian cities.
Speaking at a rally in Nebraska on Monday, 5th October, the President joked that “taking out” Los Angeles or San Diego would be a “small price to pay for keeping the world safe.”
President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks at the 450th mile of the new border wall Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021, near the Texas Mexico border. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)
Former President of the United States Donald Trump speaking with attendees at the 2022 Student Action Summit at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida. By Gage Skidmore.
Trump addressed the comments, which drew widespread backlash from Democratic politicians, at a rally in San Antonia, TX, on Wednesday, 7th October.
A Crude Remark
Trump was addressing a Make America Great Again rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, on Monday as part of a campaign to rejuvenate disgruntled Republican voters – many of whom have seen living costs soar as a result of the Iran war.
Since the conflict began in February, the Iranian regime has used a chokehold to effectively close the Strait of Hormuz and limit oil exports from the Persian Gulf. Exports have only just returned to pre-war levels more than seven months after Operation Epic Fury was launched.
Trump reiterated that the war would end soon, calling commodity price rises “artificial” because he predicted it would. “It’s a little bit high,” Trump said on diesel. “It’s a small price to pay for keeping the world safe.”
Adding that the war was also keeping America safe, the President added: “They can take out a city. Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego. This is a very small price to pay, and it’s going to be over very soon.”
California Loathe
Trump’s comments drew widespread backlash from California Democratic leaders. Gov. Gavin Newsom called Trump’s comments “disgusting and disqualifying”, adding in a separate post: “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 is deranged and dangerous.”
LA Mayor Bass said the country “should not be in a position where we are questioning whether or not the President of the United States is threatening cities in his own country.” She also confirmed that she had contacted Rep. Robert Garcia, a ranking member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, to “investigate the dangerous threats the President has encouraged this week” against the city.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria waded in and said the city “is not collateral damage,” with its residents “not expendable” and “never a ‘small price to pay.’”
Clari-fornia
To address his controversial remarks, Trump reiterated them at a rally in Texas Wednesday evening. Albeit not explicitly, he clarified that his comments were in reference to what would happen if Iran struck U.S. soil.
“You want to see trauma? You want to see problems?” Trump told supporters in San Antonio. “I said it the other day; let [Iran] hit a missile into San Diego or Los Angeles on the way.”
“You want to see a horror show? You want to see problems?” Trump repeated. “Let them hit San Diego. Let them hit Los Angeles. If you want to see some bad things happen… if you want to see a country that would be in free fall, we’re not going to let that happen.”
Trump added his administration would “protect our cities and protect our country.”
Democrats Fuming
Trump’s elongated repeat of his previous remarks did little to heal divisions with his Democrat counterparts. In response to the San Antonio rally, Gov. Newsom said Trump had “lost his mind,” adding: “Trump thinks he will scare people into voting for MAGA candidates by threatening the bombing of over 16 million Americans.”
Earlier in the week, Gov. Newsom said Trump’s “dangerous, if not treasonous” comments had put a target on Californian cities. “I am directing the State Threat Assessment Center to actively monitor the situation in the event that foreign actors interpret the President’s remarks as an invitation to target California,” Newsom added.
LA Mayor Bass said the country “should not be in a position where we are questioning whether or not the President of the United States is threatening cities in his own country.” She also confirmed that she had contacted Rep. Robert Garcia, a ranking member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, to “investigate the dangerous threats the President has encouraged this week” against the city.
San Diego Mayor Gloria said the city was not a “prop” nor a “target” or Trump’s “applause line” in response to Trump’s Wednesday rally. “We are a proud military city full of real people. Stop using us in your reckless war talk,” Gloria demanded.
About the Author: Shay Bottomley
Shay Bottomley is a British journalist. He has written for the Western Standard, Business Insider, Maidenhead Advertiser, Slough Express, Windsor Express, Berkshire Live and Southend Echo.
