Trump suggests letting Iran "take out" LA, San Diego during rally
From the Article
Reported by CBS News. The paragraphs below are the opening of that article, reproduced word for word — not a summary, and not the whole piece.
Gov. Gavin Newsom rebuked President Trump after he appeared to suggest letting Iran "take out" Los Angeles and San Diego if the country developed a nuclear weapon.
At a campaign rally in Nebraska, Mr. Trump said the Iran war is "artificial," but he wanted to see a "total victory." He suggested the war is a "small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe."
"It's a little bit high," the president appeared to say about gas prices. "It's a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe. They can take out a city. Let them take, let it, let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego."
Attendees appeared to cheer after his suggestion. It was not immediately clear what Mr. Trump meant, although the White House's rapid response account on X insisted after the fact that the president's words were being misinterpreted.
"He was saying the U.S. is fighting to STOP Iran from having the ability to take out LA and San Diego with a nuclear weapon — which they would if they had the chance," the account said.
The comments were quickly condemned by Newsom and other California officials.
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