Donald Trump brushed off a reporter’s question about his controversial comments involving Iran potentially destroying Los Angeles and San Diego, refusing to explain remarks that sparked backlash from California politicians and Hollywood celebrities.
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The confrontation happened Tuesday, October 6, as Trump returned to the White House following an appearance at a Maryland shipyard. Footage captured by C-SPAN showed Trump approaching reporters after exiting Marine One when a journalist questioned him about statements he made during a Nebraska campaign rally.“Mr. President, what did you mean by your comments yesterday about San Diego and Los Angeles possibly being wiped out by Iran?” the reporter asked.
Rather than answering, Trump, wearing a red USA baseball cap, waved his hand dismissively and turned his attention to other journalists.
The exchange came just one day after Trump’s remarks about the ongoing war with Iran prompted criticism from elected officials representing two of America’s largest cities.
During his Monday, October 5, rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, Trump defended the military conflict while discussing rising gasoline prices and national security.
According to NBC Los Angeles, Trump described the increased cost of gasoline as “a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe.”
He then made the statement that triggered the controversy.
“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,” Trump said.
Some members of the Nebraska audience cheered as he mentioned the California cities.
The comments quickly circulated online, raising questions about whether Trump was suggesting an attack on American cities would be acceptable during the conflict.
California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the remarks in a statement shared on X.
“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,” Newsom wrote. “He is deranged and dangerous.”
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria also responded, rejecting any suggestion that residents of his city should be treated as expendable.
According to PEOPLE, Gloria stated that San Diego “is not collateral damage. We are not expendable. And we are never a ‘small price to pay.’ Keep our city out of your reckless war talk.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass joined the criticism, warning that Trump’s language could potentially threaten public safety.
The controversy extended beyond politics and into Hollywood.
Academy Award winner Jamie Lee Curtis expressed outrage on Instagram, describing her personal connection to Los Angeles and her concerns about the implications of Trump’s statement.
“As a lifelong, proud Los Angelina… I am alarmed and horrified that the President of the country I love would posit and endorse the annihilation of my hometown as a ‘Small price to pay,’ ” Curtis wrote.
“This is beyond any party politics, and I urge anyone reading this to make sure that they have registered to vote and that they are prepared to do so.”
Late-night television host Jimmy Kimmel also criticized the remarks.
Meanwhile, the White House pushed back against interpretations suggesting Trump supported an attack on California.
White House communications director Steven Cheung issued a statement on X defending Trump’s intentions.
“The media freakout over President Trump’s comments is not rooted in reality,” Cheung wrote. “He was clearly stating U.S. 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.”
The distinction between Trump’s words and his intended meaning has become central to the controversy.
An October 6 analysis by FactCheck.org concluded that Trump’s confusing language was more likely intended to illustrate the potential danger of a nuclear-armed Iran, rather than endorse attacks against American cities. The organization cited his previous statements connecting increased gasoline prices with efforts to prevent nuclear threats.
Still, Trump’s refusal to clarify his remarks directly left the public debate unresolved.
The dispute comes as the Iran war continues to affect Americans financially. According to PEOPLE, the conflict began February 28 and has stretched into its eighth month, with thousands of Iranians and U.S. service members killed.
Gasoline prices have also climbed. AAA reported a national average of $4.36 per gallon on October 7, more than $1.25 higher than the previous year.
Trump has repeatedly suggested the conflict will end soon, although he has not provided a definitive timeline.
While answering other reporters Tuesday, Trump discussed economic issues, proposed dividend payments and the upcoming midterm elections. He did not return to the question about Los Angeles and San Diego.
As the November elections approach, the controversy highlights growing tension over Trump’s handling of the Iran war, its economic consequences and the language he uses when discussing threats to American communities.
