Trump Said Let Them ‘Take Out’ LA and San Diego — Here’s Why That Sparked Bipartisan Alarm

President Trump’s October 5, 2026 remarks at a Nebraska rally have set off a Trump Iran remarks backlash across California and Washington. Trump spoke at the rally about the cost of confronting Iran’s nuclear program. He told the crowd: “Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego. That’s — this is a very small price to pay.” Trump tied the comment to the financial burden of opposing Tehran, including high gas prices. He argued the cost was justified to protect national security, according to Axios.

What Trump Told the Nebraska Rally Crowd

Trump delivered the remarks at the Nebraska rally on October 5, 2026. He discussed the economic toll of standing against Iran’s nuclear program. Trump pointed to high gas prices as part of that toll. He argued the United States had already paid heavily to confront Tehran. Trump then made the comment about Los Angeles and San Diego. He called the potential loss “a very small price to pay” next to the stakes of stopping Iran. Trump framed the remark as a tradeoff between national security and local risk. He did not elaborate further on the comparison during the rally. Axios first reported the comments on October 6, 2026, a day after the rally. The report quickly drew attention well beyond Nebraska, reaching audiences following U.S. politics around the world.

Bipartisan Criticism From California Officials

California Governor Gavin Newsom responded first. Newsom called Trump “deranged and dangerous” for suggesting enemies could attack California cities. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria issued his own statement next. Gloria said: “San Diego is not collateral damage. We are not expendable.” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also weighed in on the remarks. Bass warned the statements could compromise city safety. She said the comments could undermine the president’s duty to protect the nation. Each official spoke from a different office and a different level of government. Their shared objection centered on the safety of their own residents. The reactions amount to bipartisan criticism of Trump’s framing, voiced by officials across different offices. None of the three officials disputed that Trump made the statement itself.

White House Responds to the Trump Iran Remarks Backlash

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung addressed the growing Trump Iran remarks backlash directly. Cheung said Trump meant something different than his words suggested. He explained that the administration is fighting to prevent a nuclear Iran. Cheung said that goal is meant to stop Iran from threatening Los Angeles and San Diego. He described the “take out” phrasing as misunderstood. Cheung did not dispute that Trump made the statement. Instead, he focused on clarifying its intended meaning. Cheung framed the policy itself as protective rather than threatening toward any American city. The White House has not issued a further statement beyond Cheung’s remarks.

Iran’s Nuclear Program and the Wider Political Backdrop

Iran’s nuclear program has long been a flashpoint in U.S. foreign policy. Confronting it carries diplomatic, military, and economic costs. Gas prices are one example Trump cited directly at the rally. The International Atomic Energy Agency, which monitors nuclear facilities worldwide, sits at the center of that broader picture. Its work continues alongside the political debate over how far the United States should go. The remarks also land days after another major move from the administration, including a newly announced super intelligence force. They also arrive against a tense domestic backdrop, with a government funding deadline approaching ahead of the midterms. Both storylines are drawing attention from voters and officials at the same time as the Nebraska rally controversy.

Where This Goes From Here

The Trump Iran remarks backlash is likely to continue in the coming days. California officials have already put their objections on record. Newsom, Gloria, and Bass have each issued public statements. The White House has offered its explanation through Cheung. Reporters are likely to seek direct comment from Trump himself. No further statement from Iran’s government has been reported. The dispute may also surface in upcoming press briefings or hearings. Officials in other states could weigh in as the story spreads further. For now, the exchange remains a public back-and-forth between California leaders and the White House. Observers are watching whether either side issues additional comment this week.

Questions Readers Are Asking

What did Trump say about Los Angeles and San Diego?
At a Nebraska rally on October 5, 2026, Trump said: “Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego. That’s — this is a very small price to pay.”

Why did Trump make the comment?
Trump was discussing the economic cost of confronting Iran’s nuclear program, including high gas prices, and argued the cost was justified to protect national security.

How did California officials respond?
Governor Gavin Newsom called Trump “deranged and dangerous.” San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said San Diego is “not collateral damage.” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass warned the remarks could compromise city safety.

How did the White House respond to the backlash?
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said Trump meant the U.S. is fighting to prevent a nuclear Iran from threatening those cities, calling the “take out” language misunderstood.

When and where did Trump make the remarks?
Trump made the remarks on October 5, 2026, at a rally in Nebraska, as first reported by Axios on October 6, 2026.

Did Trump directly address Iran’s nuclear program?
Yes. Trump framed the remarks around the cost of confronting Iran’s nuclear program, a subject the International Atomic Energy Agency monitors internationally.

Tamara News will continue following reaction to the Trump Iran remarks backlash as officials respond. Readers can find related coverage of the administration’s recent policy moves and the broader political backdrop on tamaranews.com.