Trump Suggests Iran Could Target Los Angeles and San Diego, Sparking Outrage
Donald Trump said Iran could "take out" Los Angeles and San Diego, prompting condemnation from Democrats and state officials.

Trump’s Iran Comment
On 7 October 2026, Donald Trump spoke at a rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, and said that Iran could “take out” Los Angeles and San Diego. The statement was recorded and reported by The Guardian.
Reactions
Democratic senators Chris Murphy and Bernie Sanders condemned the remark, calling it “sick” and “evil”. California Governor Gavin Newsom described Trump as deranged and dangerous, and the state’s threat-assessment centre was put on alert. Forty-three California members of Congress jointly urged the president to apologise. The White House communications director, Steven Cheung, said Trump was describing a hypothetical threat that would have existed if Iran had not been stopped.
Context
The comment came amid a broader campaign in which Trump repeatedly referred to Iran as a nuclear threat and warned of a war. The Guardian notes that the remarks are part of a pattern of divisive rhetoric that has become routine for the former president. The statement has not been verified by independent sources, and no official confirmation of the threat level has been issued.
Source & attribution
This report is based on www.theguardian.com's original reporting published 7 Oct 2026. Claims attributed to officials or parties to a conflict have not been independently verified by TotalWar.live.
Editorial standards and correctionsRelated coverage
Trump’s rallies may not boost Republican prospects ahead of 2026 midterms
Donald Trump is holding cross-country rallies as the 2026 midterms approach, but analysts and voters question whether his presence will help the GOP.
White House defends Trump’s comment that Iran could ‘take out’ Los Angeles and San Diego
The White House said Trump’s statement about Iran threatening Los Angeles and San Diego was a warning that U.S. cities would have been at risk if a war had.
Paxton says Trump’s Iran war and high gas prices hurt Republicans, audio shows
Texas attorney general Ken Paxton admitted in leaked audio that rising fuel costs linked to Trump’s Iran war are hurting Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterms.