WASHINGTON — California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom condemned President Trump as “deranged” late Monday after Trump appeared to joke that Iran could “take out” Los Angeles or San Diego if it acquired nuclear weapons.
Speaking at a pre-midterm rally in Nebraska, Trump defended the war in Iran and argued that higher gas prices were a “small price to pay” to protect the United States from a nuclear-armed Islamic Republic.
“With the war, it’s just artificial. It’s a little bit high. It’s a small price to pay for keeping the world safe. For keeping our country safe,” Trump told the crowd. “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, and it’s going to be over with very soon.”
Trump’s comments immediately triggered outrage from California officials, who said his remarks appeared to suggest that Iran could destroy two of the nation’s largest cities.
“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 on X.
“He is deranged and dangerous.”
Newsom’s press office also responded on X, saying, “The President is advocating for an attack on 10+ million U.S. residents in two of America’s largest cities.”
“This is not normal. None of this is.”
White House communications director Steven Cheung answered the criticism on X Tuesday morning.
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“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.”
Trump has maintained a tense relationship with California Democrats. Last year, he publicly criticized Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Newsom over the pace of rebuilding after the deadly Palisades wildfire.
As Newsom appears to be positioning himself for a 2028 presidential campaign, Trump has repeatedly mocked the governor by calling him “Newscum.”
Bass also denounced Trump’s comments as “dangerous.”
“The role of a president is to protect the country, not to actively threaten it and encourage attacks on American lives,” she said in a statement.
California Democratic gubernatorial nominee Xavier Becerra likewise criticized the president.
“Thirteen million Californians call LA and San Diego counties home. Their lives are not a ‘small price to pay’ or a punchline for Donald Trump,” Becerra wrote on X.
Trump has been ramping up his midterm campaigning regimen this month, with a number of stops scheduled in traditionally Republican states.
Democrats are favored to regain control of the House, while the fate of the Senate is seen as a toss-up with four weeks to go before election day.
“My Rally crowds and enthusiasm are unbelievable! Nobody has ever seen anything like it. We are flipping races all over the place,” Trump declared on Truth Social Tuesday. “The Dumocrats never counted on this.”
“Watch for the ‘Midterm Surprise!’”
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