Trump says losing Los Angeles, San Diego would be a ‘very small price to pay’
Trump says losing Los Angeles and San Diego would be a “small price”
Bdbusinessdaily.com – Trump says losing Los Angeles and San Diego would be a “very small price to pay,” triggering strong criticism from California leaders and members of Congress. The president made the remarks at a rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, while discussing national security concerns and the conflict with Iran.
His comments quickly drew attention because both cities are major population centres with significant economic, transportation and military importance. Los Angeles is the nation’s second-largest city, while San Diego is a key hub for US defence activity on the Pacific coast.
“They could take out a city. Let ’em take out Los Angeles, let ’em take out San Diego. This is a very small price to pay, and it’s going to be over with very soon.”
California officials condemn the remarks
California Governor Gavin Newsom called Trump “deranged and dangerous” in a post on X. His office said the president appeared to describe an attack affecting more than 10 million people as an acceptable cost.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called the comments “irresponsible threats.” She rejected the White House’s explanation that Trump had been misunderstood, saying it did not reflect the language he used.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria also responded sharply, saying residents should never be treated as an acceptable consequence of conflict. He urged Trump to leave San Diego out of what he described as “reckless war talk.”
“San Diegans are not collateral damage” and “never a ‘small price to pay.’”
Military communities and lawmakers respond
The controversy was particularly sensitive in San Diego, where Naval Base San Diego is the largest naval base on the West Coast. The wider area is home to more than 115,000 active-duty military personnel, underscoring its importance to US defence operations.
Representative Sara Jacobs said people in communities with service members, veterans and military families could not be regarded as “acceptable collateral damage.” Xavier Becerra, a Democratic candidate for California governor, said the lives of roughly 13 million people in Los Angeles and San Diego counties should not be reduced to a “punchline.”
Republican congressional candidate Jim Desmond said no American city should be considered expendable. Representative Kevin Kiley, an Independent who caucuses with Republicans, also criticised the remarks as “unhelpful.”
White House defends Trump’s message
The White House dismissed the criticism. Communications Director Steven Cheung called the response a “media freakout” and said Trump was arguing that US cities would face greater danger if Iran had been allowed to obtain nuclear weapons.
“America is safer because of the President. Iran has no nuclear, no navy, no air force, and no money.”
Cheung’s statement framed Trump’s comments as part of a broader argument about deterrence and the administration’s approach to Iran. Some conservative commentators said Trump was referring to economic pressure, including fuel prices, rather than predicting or accepting an attack on California cities.
FAQ: What did Trump say about Los Angeles and San Diego?
What did Trump mean by losing Los Angeles and San Diego?
Trump says losing Los Angeles and San Diego would be a limited cost in remarks that opponents interpreted as treating potential harm to the cities as acceptable. The White House said he was emphasising the security risks posed by Iran, not endorsing an attack on US cities.
Why did San Diego officials react so strongly?
San Diego has a large military population and major defence installations, including Naval Base San Diego. Local leaders said residents, service members and military families should not be described as collateral damage.
Who criticised Trump’s comments?
Newsom, Bass, Gloria, Jacobs, Becerra, Desmond and Kiley were among the political figures who publicly objected to the president’s language.