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President Donald Trump ambiguously suggested during a political rally on Monday that Iran could “take out” San Diego or Los Angeles.

The president’s remarks seemed to be an attempt to justify his ongoing war on Iran, which is deeply unpopular among American voters.

Addressing a crowd of supporters in Nebraska, Trump claimed that the economic impacts of the war were worth it to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

“Remember, with the war, it’s just artificial. It’s a little bit high,” Trump said regarding price increases in retail goods and gas. “It’s a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe.”

“They could take out a city,” Trump added, stopping mid-sentence before continuing. “Let them take out Los Angeles. Let him take out San Diego.”

Trump Says Iran War “Should Help” Republicans in Midterms

“This is a very small price to pay and [the war is] going to be over with very soon,” Trump said.

Trump has repeatedly claimed that the war is necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon — despite the fact that the country’s leaders had already agreed not to pursue a nuclear weapons program before the U.S. launched the war in late February.

Trump on Iran: Let 'em take out Los Angeles and San Diego, it's a small price to pay— Headquarters (@headquartersnews.bsky.social) 2026-10-06T00:08:22.354Z

Trump on Iran: Let 'em take out Los Angeles and San Diego, it's a small price to pay

Several California lawmakers condemned the remarks by Trump, including Sen. Alex Padilla (D), who called for Trump’s removal from office.

“25th Amendment NOW,” Padilla wrote on X,........

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