Trump: Let them destroy Los Angeles and San Diego
It all started with Trump's controversial statement during Monday's rally in Grand Island, Nebraska. The US president then spoke about the war with Iran and "the price that must be paid for world security."
Remember that in times of war, prices are simply artificially high, they are slightly higher, but it is a small price to pay, Trump told those gathered at the rally, most likely referring to the rising prices of fuel, fertilizers and other products that are becoming more expensive due to the consequences of the conflict in the Middle East.
Finally, words were spoken that caused huge controversy.
It's a small price to pay to keep the world and our country safe. They can destroy the city. Let them destroy Los Angeles, let them destroy San Diego. This is a very small price, and it will all be over soon, said the US president.
Los Angeles and San Diego are the largest and second largest cities in California by population, respectively. It so happens that the mayors of both cities are Democrats: in Los Angeles - Karen Bass, and in San Diego - Todd Gloria.
"Demented and Dangerous"
We didn't have to wait long for reactions. The mayor of Los Angeles said in a statement that Trump's comments "have the potential to threaten our safety."
California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, had harsh words. He called the US president "deranged and dangerous."
“After sending the National Guard and Marines to occupy California, Donald Trump now claims that our foreign enemies should 'liquidate' Los Angeles and San Diego,” he wrote.
The politician thus referred to Trump's previous statements, in which he justified sending American armed forces to Los Angeles and other cities to fight crime and enforce immigration regulations.
"My constituents - including many active duty service members, veterans and their families - cannot be 'collateral victims' in Trump's stupid war," U.S. House Representative Sara Jacobs, a Democrat, wrote on social media.
There are over 115,000 stationed in San Diego. active-duty soldiers, including at the San Diego naval base, the largest on the west coast of the United States.
The voices of criticism came from the motherland
Interestingly, Trump's statement was also criticized by individual representatives of the Republican Party.
Jim Desmond, one of the Republicans running in a newly drawn congressional district in California near San Diego, distanced himself from Trump's comments.
"I strongly disagree with President Trump's comments. America must stand up to Iran and defend our interests, but the primary responsibility of our commander in chief is to protect American citizens and our homeland," he wrote on X.
"No American city is dispensable, and no American family should ever be treated as 'collateral damage,'" he said.
And Congressman Kevin Kiley, an independent politician who caucuses with Republicans, said in a statement that Trump's comment was "not helpful."
White House on "media panic"
On Tuesday, the White House pushed back against criticism of Trump's words.
"The media panic caused by President Trump's comments has no basis in reality. The President has clearly stated that US cities would be at risk if Iran was not prevented from acquiring a nuclear weapon," White House Communications Director Steven Cheung wrote on social media.
"America is safer because of the president. Iran has no nuclear weapons, no navy, no air force, no money," he added.
Trump has previously downplayed cost of living concerns stemming from the conflict with Iran. He also downplayed concerns about the possibility of Iran or its allies carrying out an attack on US territory, Reuters noted.
