A comment byPresident Donald Trumpduring a campaign rally in Nebraska on Monday sparked immediate backlash from California leaders after he appeared to suggest that the potential destruction of Los Angeles
or San Diego would be "a small price to pay" amid tensions tied to the war with Iran.
Speaking at a midterm-election rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, Trump discussed higher gasoline prices resulting from the conflict and argued that Americans should accept the economic impact.
"They can take out a city. Let 'em take out Los Angeles, let 'em take out San Diego. This is a very small price to pay," Trump said, adding that the war was nearly over and describing the costs as "a small price to pay for keeping the world safe."
Trump on Iran: Let 'em take out Los Angeles and San Diego, it's a small price to pay pic.twitter.com/Fc4BcjVDKj
— Headquarters (@HQNewsNow) October 6, 2026
Los Angeles and San Diego are California's two largest Southern California metropolitan areas and together are home to millions of residents, major military installations, international trade hubs and critical economic infrastructure.
The remarks quickly circulated online, drawing sharp condemnation from California officials who accused the president of treating millions of Californians as expendable.
Gov. Gavin Newsom responded on social media by linking Trump's remarks to the administration's recent deployments of federal forces into California.
"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."
Let’s be clear: The President is advocating for an attack on 10+ million U.S. residents in two of America’s largest cities.
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) October 6, 2026
This is not normal. None of this is.
And we will continue to remind folks of that every day. https://t.co/rkPYE1l4wm
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria also condemned the comments, rejecting any suggestion that the city's residents should be viewed as collateral damage in a broader geopolitical conflict.
"San Diego is not collateral damage," Gloria wrote. "We are not expendable. And we are never a 'small price to pay.' Keep our city out of your reckless war talk."
San Diego is not collateral damage.
— San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria (@MayorToddGloria) October 6, 2026
We are not expendable.
And we are never a "small price to pay."
Keep our city out of your reckless war talk. https://t.co/06z2qsEIMr
The controversy adds to ongoing tensions between Trump and California's Democratic leadership, which have intensified over immigration enforcement, National Guard deployments and federal-state clashes throughout the president's second term.
The White House had not immediately responded to criticism from Newsom and Gloria.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump sparks outrage with remarks about LA, San Diego at rally
