Speaking at a campaign rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, US President Donald Trump sparked swift backlash after suggesting that higher prices and potential foreign attacks were acceptable costs for global security.
Addressing the economic impact of the conflict with Iran, Trump dismissed rising costs as "artificial" and a minor trade-off for national safety. However, his remarks took a startling turn when discussing potential foreign threats to American soil.
"They can take out a city" Trump said with referring to Iran. "Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego. This is a very small price to pay."
Trump claimed the war was "essentially almost over" while acknowledging it could drag on. He noted that Iranian leaders claim to have a "high threshold for pain" but predicted prices in the US would eventually fall "very sharply."
The comments drew immediate condemnation from California Governor Gavin Newsom.
"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" Newsom stated on X (formerly Twitter).
