Donald Trump doubles down on remarks that Iran could ‘take out’ Los Angeles and San Diego

What Trump said and where

President Donald Trump first raised the idea that Iran could "take out" Los Angeles and San Diego during a rally at the Nebraska State Fairgrounds in Hall County on Monday, Oct. 7, 2026. He framed the remark as a warning about a "nuclear Iran," adding that the United States was safer because of his actions. Two days later, at a campaign stop in San Antonio, Texas, Trump doubled down, telling the crowd, "Let them hit San Diego, let them hit Los Angeles," and insisting the country would not allow such a scenario to unfold.

California’s backlash

Governor Gavin Newsom reacted immediately, calling the comments "deranged and dangerous" and later describing them as "dangerous — if not treasonous" on his official X account. He also said he was directing the State Threat Assessment Center to monitor any foreign interpretation of the remarks and urged the invocation of the 25th Amendment, calling Trump "mentally ill."

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass labeled the statements "dangerous and could potentially compromise our safety," while San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria warned that the city was "not collateral damage" in any imagined attack. A coalition of 43 California Democratic members of Congress signed a statement demanding an apology, noting that more than 16 million people live in the Los Angeles and San Diego metropolitan areas.

White House response

White House communications director Steven Cheung pushed back, describing the criticism as a "media freakout" not rooted in reality. He argued Trump was merely pointing out that U.S. cities would be threatened if a nuclear‑armed Iran were not stopped, and reiterated that "Iran has no nuclear, no navy, no air force, and no money."

Key numbers

• Los Angeles population: 3,863,148 (World Population Review).
• San Diego population: 1,410,522 (2026 estimate).
• Hall County, Nebraska population (2020): 62,895.
• California Democratic lawmakers demanding an apology: 43.
• Dates: Nebraska rally – Oct. 7, 2026; Texas rally – Oct. 9, 2026.

What comes next

The governor’s threat‑assessment directive will keep state security agencies watching for any foreign response. Meanwhile, the 25th Amendment discussion underscores the political friction within the GOP as the midterm elections approach. Trump’s continued use of inflammatory language is likely to keep both Capitol Hill and the White House on high alert for any diplomatic fallout.