President Donald Trump has sparked a fierce backlash after appearing to suggest that Los Angeles and San Diego could be sacrificed amid the ongoing U.S.-Iran war. At a campaign rally in Nebraska, Trump said, “Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego,” prompting immediate condemnation from California officials and lawmakers. And no, things were not taken out of context. He really did say that in public.
The comments have since become a national flashpoint, with the White House insisting that Trump was describing a hypothetical threat that his administration had prevented, rather than calling for an attack on American cities.
What Trump Actually Said
Speaking in Grand Island, Nebraska, on October 5, Trump was defending the war and discussing higher prices, apparently including increased fuel costs.
“Remember, with the war, it’s just artificial. It’s a little bit high,” Trump said. “It’s a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe.”
He then continued: “They could take out a city. Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego.”
Trump followed by calling it “a very small price to pay” and said the war would be over “very soon.” The crowd applauded after his remarks.
The wording understandably caused alarm, particularly because Los Angeles and San Diego are home to millions of Americans.
Trump on War/High Prices: It’s just artificial. It’s a little bit high. It’s a small price to pay. They can take out a city. Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego… https://t.co/RtOiv5tZBP
— Acyn (@Acyn) October 5, 2026
The White House Says That Wasn’t the Point
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung pushed back against the criticism, saying the president was explaining what could have happened if Iran had developed a nuclear weapon.
“The media freakout over President Trump’s comments is not rooted in reality,” Cheung wrote on X. “He was clearly stating U.S. cities would have been threatened if a nuclear Iran hadn’t been stopped.”
That explanation is consistent with Trump’s broader comments about preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. FactCheck.org found that, when viewed in context, the remarks do not appear to be an explicit call for Iran to attack American cities, although the wording was confusing and understandably drew outrage.
Cheung also claimed Iran has “no nuclear, no navy, no air force, and no money.” The first part is broadly consistent with the current situation in that Iran does not possess a nuclear weapon, but the statement should not be read as meaning Iran has no military capabilities at all. Iran does have armed forces and missile capabilities.
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California Isn’t Laughing
California officials were quick to respond.
An American president is talking about Los Angeles and San Diego being “taken out.” Where the hell is Congress? This is dangerous. The time to stand up is NOW. https://t.co/1PVG6PHb7m
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) October 6, 2026
Gov. Gavin Newsom called the remarks “dangerous” and questioned why members of Congress were not speaking out. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the comments were irresponsible and could potentially compromise public safety, while San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said his city was “not collateral damage.”
California lawmakers also demanded an apology, arguing that the president should not describe the potential destruction of American cities as an acceptable sacrifice.
Whatever Trump intended, the reaction reflects a much bigger concern: language about war and civilian lives carries real weight.
For LGBTQ+ Americans and allies, as for everyone else, this is not just another political sound bite. Los Angeles and San Diego are home to millions of people, including families, workers, veterans, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ communities.
When the conversation turns to cities being “taken out,” it is worth slowing down, examining the full context, and remembering the people behind the headlines.