Trump Reveals Shocking Price He Says LA Must Pay To Win
President Trump spoke to a crowd in Nebraska on Monday. He was defending his fight with Iran. Then he made a shocking statement. He told the audience to let enemies destroy two major American cities. Trump said, "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," according to the Washington Examiner.
The crowd cheered after he said those words. NBC News reported that Trump added that the cost of maintaining safety for the nation and the globe was minor. He told the room the conflict would end very soon. He called the cost "very small" and said it would be over quickly, per the New York Post.
Officials in California reacted fast. Governor Gavin Newsom called the president "deranged and dangerous" in a post on social media. The Washington Examiner noted Newsom accused Trump of making reckless comments after already sending troops to the state. Newsom wrote, "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," per the New York Post.
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.
He is deranged and dangerous.
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) October 6, 2026
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria spoke out too. He said, "San Diego is not collateral damage. We are not expendable," according to the Washington Examiner. He implored the president to exclude the city from such irresponsible war rhetoric. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also condemned the remarks. The president's press office said the controversy is "not rooted in reality," per NBC News.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung defended the president. Trump reportedly indicated that American urban centers faced danger had Iran's nuclear program not been halted. Cheung told the New York Post, "America is safer because of the President." The administration argued that the media misread the comments about war costs.
The media freakout over President Trump’s comments is not rooted in reality. 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.
— Steven Cheung (@StevenCheung47) October 6, 2026
Newsom's press office pushed back hard on that defense. A post on X claimed the leader supports striking over 10 million Americans across two major US cities. They added, "This is not normal. None of this is," according to the New York Post. The dispute now centers on whether the president was explaining a past threat or encouraging a new one.
Let’s be clear: 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.
And we will continue to remind folks of that every day.
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) October 6, 2026