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Trump's 'take out LA or San Diego' remark on Iran sparks dispute over meaning

The White House says President Trump was warning about the risk of a nuclear Iran, while Democrats and some Republicans say he suggested Iran could destroy two major American cities. Most outlets reported the remarks as sparking backlash, though at least one outlet described them as a joke.

Analysis deskEditor Andersson Iyke
18 outlets, 9 regions
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What happened

At a campaign rally in Grand Island, Nebraska on Monday night, President Trump said, according to multiple outlets quoting the remarks directly, that Iran could 'take out' Los Angeles or San Diego, and that such an outcome would be a 'small price to pay' for safety.1618

California Governor Gavin Newsom and other Democratic leaders condemned the remarks as 'disgusting', 'dangerous' and 'deranged'.6715

The White House denied that Trump was suggesting Iran should attack the cities, with BBC reporting the administration said he was warning about the risk of a nuclear-armed Iran.1415

The remarks also drew criticism from at least one Republican congressional candidate in San Diego, in addition to the broader Democratic backlash.11

What's agreed

Reported consistently by outlets in more than one region.

  • Trump, speaking at a campaign rally in Grand Island, Nebraska on Monday night, made remarks suggesting Iran could 'take out' Los Angeles or San Diego.2910121618
  • The remarks drew condemnation from California Democratic leaders, including Governor Gavin Newsom.6791011
  • The White House pushed back against accusations that Trump was suggesting Iran should attack the cities.14131415
  • Some Republicans, including at least one congressional candidate, also criticized or distanced themselves from the remarks.211

Where accounts differ

Each account is attributed to who makes it. We do not judge between them.

What Trump meant by his remarks

Democrats, via multiple outlets

Trump suggested or encouraged Iran to attack Los Angeles and San Diego, calling such destruction a 'small price to pay'.671618

White House

Trump was warning about the danger of a nuclear-armed Iran, not suggesting an attack should happen.1415

Tone of the remarks

Al Jazeera English (state-controlled, Qatar)

Characterized the remarks as a joke made at the rally.17

The Jerusalem Post; The Guardian; NYT

Reported the remarks as drawing fury, condemnation or sharp political reaction, without describing them as a joke.671116

Exact wording of Trump's comment

The Jerusalem Post and Anadolu Agency, quoting Trump directly

Trump reportedly said, quote, 'Let 'em take out Los Angeles, let 'em take out San Diego,' calling it a 'small price to pay'.1618

TASS (state-controlled, Russia)

Reported that Trump said the cities 'could be destroyed' amid an Iran war, without detailing exact phrasing or explanation.3

How it's framed

What each perspective puts first, based on headlines and summaries.

PerspectiveHow it readsWhat it puts first
US and allied outlets covering domestic political reactionNorth AmericaFocus heavily on the political fallout within the US, quoting Newsom's strong condemnation and noting rare Republican criticism.711Newsom's 'dangerous and deranged' quote, Republican candidate rebuke, midterm election context
Middle Eastern outlets, including state-controlled and privately ownedMiddle East & TurkeySome outlets quoted Trump's remarks directly, including the 'take out' and 'small price to pay' phrasing, while Tehran Times described the comments as demonizing Iran and Al Jazeera described them as a joke.612161718direct quotes of 'take out' remarks, framing as anti-Iran rhetoric, framing as a joke
Russian state-controlled mediaRussia & EurasiaTASS reported the remarks briefly and neutrally, emphasizing that Trump did not explain himself, without extensive detail on domestic reaction.3lack of explanation from Trump, brief factual framing
European public broadcasters and privately owned outletsEuropeBBC and RTÉ present both the White House denial and the backlash, with BBC noting the White House's nuclear-risk explanation alongside Newsom's 'deranged' label.41511White House defense, Newsom's reaction, balanced dual framing
Asian outlets (South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia)South AsiaOutlets emphasize the 'small price to pay' phrasing and backlash, with some syndicating wire copy on the White House denial.8913142'small price to pay' quote, syndicated wire framing, backlash from Democrats and Republicans
African privately owned outletsAfricaFocus on the White House denial and California officials' condemnation, with Egypt Independent providing rally context in Nebraska.110White House pushback, California officials calling remarks 'dangerous', rally context
Latin American privately owned pressLatin AmericaFolha de S.Paulo frames the remarks as linked explicitly to Iran's nuclear weapons development and reports political condemnation.5nuclear weapons link, political uproar

What the coverage leaves out

  • None of the outlets reviewed provided the full, unedited transcript of Trump's remarks beyond the short quoted excerpts.
  • None of the outlets reviewed reported a direct, detailed response from Iranian government officials to Trump's remarks.
  • None of the outlets reviewed clarified what specific policy or military context, if any, prompted Trump's comments at the rally.

Why it matters

Newsom, as governor of California, directly oversees the state and said he was directing a state threat response after Trump's comments, which he said targeted two major cities and a naval hub.6

The White House said Trump's remarks were meant to warn about the risks of a nuclear-armed Iran, according to the BBC; Folha de S.Paulo separately framed the remarks as linked to the possibility of Iran developing a nuclear weapon.155

Sources (18)

Every outlet we drew on, grouped by where it is based. Read the originals for the full reporting.

Latin America

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