California Leaders Condemn Trump After He Suggests That Iran Taking Out LA and San Diego As Part Of The War Would Be A "Very Small Price To Pay"

California’s top officials have forcefully denounced President Donald Trump after he suggested during a campaign event in Nebraska that Iran taking out major West Coast population centers as part of the broader ongoing war would be a “very small price to pay”.

Speaking to a crowd in Grand Island, Nebraska, ahead of upcoming midterm elections, Trump addressed rising fuel and fertilizer prices caused by energy market disruptions, describing the financial strain as a temporary sacrifice.

"And again, remember, with the war, it's just artificial, it's a little bit high, it's a small price to pay," Trump told supporters. "It's a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, for keeping our country safe. 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."

He added that the conflict was "essentially almost over with" and promised "a tremendous victory because it verifies all the things we did."

Swift Backlash From Democratic and Republican Figures

The comments sparked immediate outrage across California, home to two of the nation's largest cities and crucial military infrastructure. Both San Diego and Los Angeles house massive installations, including Space Systems Command headquarters at Los Angeles Air Force Base, as well as Naval Base San Diego, which is the primary home port for the US Navy's Pacific Fleet, and Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

California Governor Gavin Newsom called the president's statements "disgusting and disqualifying," labeling Trump "deranged and dangerous" on X.

"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.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass similarly condemned the speech, asserting that the president's duty is to defend American citizens rather than compromise their security.

"The president of the United States suggested that a foreign government attack Los Angeles. His statements against our city are dangerous and could potentially compromise our safety," Bass stated in a release. "The role of a president is to protect the country, not to actively threaten it and encourage attacks on American lives."

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria urged the president to stop using local communities in national security rhetoric. "We are never a 'small price to pay.' Keep our city out of your reckless war talk," Gloria posted, emphasizing that the city is not "collateral damage."

Criticism also came from within the president's own party. Republican congressional candidate Jim Desmond, who is running for a US House seat in California's 48th district, publicly separated himself from Trump's line of reasoning.

"I vehemently disagree with President Trump’s comments. America must stand up to Iran and defend our interests, but the first responsibility of our Commander in Chief is to protect the American people and our homeland," Desmond wrote on X. "No American city is expendable, and no American family should ever be treated as collateral damage."

The dispute marks the latest clash between Trump and California leadership. Trump has regularly targeted the state over its immigration policies, wildfire management, and local handling of public protests.

While Trump initially claimed at the onset of hostilities seven months ago that the conflict with Tehran would wrap up within weeks, he recently clarified that his original four-to-six-week timeframe only applied to neutralizing Iran's nuclear capabilities.

The White House has not issued an official response to the criticism from California leaders.