U.S. President Donald Trump sparked fury among Californians on Monday, 5th October, following a crude remark about two cities in the state in the context of the Iran war.
Trump, campaigning at a rally in Nebraska, joked that “taking out” Los Angeles or San Diego would be a “small price to pay for keeping the world safe.”
A-10 Warthog. National Security Journal Museum Photo.
It’s the latest PR backfire for a President increasingly desperate to retain control of Congress in next month’s midterm elections.
Trump’s Troublesome Times
Trump addressed a Make America Great Again rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, on Monday as part of a campaign to win back disgruntled Republican voters.
Nebraska’s largely rural economy has been hit hard by rising diesel prices, which have hurt truckers, farmers, and commuters.
While several factors are driving up diesel prices, most voters point to the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Since the war 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 began.
President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks during a Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery Amphitheater, Monday, May 25, 2026, in Arlington, Virginia. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)
President Donald Trump exits the stage after delivering remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at the Davos Congress Center. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)
In a bid to reassure disgruntled Republicans, Trump has been insistent on two key points in relation to the Iran war: it was started so that Iran would never have a nuclear weapon, and it will end very soon.
They’ve formed a key part of his core messaging in recent weeks as the GOP seeks to hold onto seats it previously considered safe ahead of next month’s midterm elections.
A Crude Joke
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.”
It’s worth noting how important both cities are to the U.S. armed forces.
San Diego is home to Naval Base San Diego, the homeport of the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet, and Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, the main training center for Navy SEALs on the West Coast.
It is also home to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, which employs 70,000 service members and civilians.
Los Angeles also matters to the U.S. Space Force, which has its space system command headquarters and Los Angeles Air Force Base there.
Californian Criticism
California Governor called Trump’s comments “disgusting and disqualifying” from his official public account.
On his personal page earlier in the evening, Gov. Newsom said: “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.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also weighed in on the criticism of Trump’s crude remarks.
“The President of the United States suggested that a foreign government attack Los Angeles. His statements against our city are dangerous and could potentially compromise our safety,” she wrote on social media. “The role of a president is to protect the country, not to actively threaten it and encourage attacks on American lives. In the face of irresponsible threats, as Angelenos, we know how to stand together and protect our city.”
To cap off a hat-trick of furious Democrats, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said the city “is not collateral damage, ”adding:,“We are not expendable. And we are never a ‘small price to pay’. Keep our city out of your reckless war talk.”
Polls Looking Poorly
The polls show no signs of improving for President Trump and the GOP. Silver Bulletin’s generic congressional ballot shows the Democrats up by 8.9 percentage points, the party’s largest lead so far in the campaign.
The Democrats also broke 50% support for the first time as Trump becomes increasingly unpopular, with just 32% of voters approving of his performance in a Reuters/Ipsos poll released Monday.
This follows recent polls in which Trump has failed to reach a 40% approval rating.
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.
