WASHINGTON — In the lead-up to the midterm elections, President Trump has frequently targeted California in his speeches to energize his supporters. On Monday, he attributed rising gas prices to the state, claimed without evidence that its elections are rigged, and suggested at a Nebraska rally that Iran could 'take out' Los Angeles and San Diego. 'It’s a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe,' Trump stated. 'They can take out a city, let them take out Los Angeles, let them take out San Diego. This is a very small price to pay.'
Trump's team later clarified that his remarks were misunderstood, asserting that he meant U.S. cities would have been at risk if a nuclear Iran had not been contained. However, he did not elaborate when asked for clarification. His comments received significant backlash from California leaders, including Republican Jim Desmond, who stated, '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.'
The incident highlights the risks of Trump's campaign strategy, which relies on criticizing California to garner support in Republican strongholds. While this approach may resonate in states like Nebraska and Texas, it can create challenges for Republican candidates in competitive districts who may need to distance themselves from Trump's remarks.
During a speech, Trump also discussed gas prices, asserting they would decrease soon and criticized media outlets. Political analysts view this episode as indicative of the unpredictable nature of Trump's messaging, especially as Republicans aim to control the narrative leading into the elections.
Mindy Romero, founder of the Center for Inclusive Democracy, commented, 'Whether you like Trump or not, he is good at getting his message out and coming up with a message that can resonate and catch fire. The question now is: Is he starting to fail himself when it comes to his messaging?'
California Democrats quickly seized on Trump's comments, with Governor Gavin Newsom labeling him 'deranged and dangerous' and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria urging Trump to 'keep our city out of your reckless war talk.' Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed concern that Trump's statements could 'potentially compromise our safety.'
Trump's remarks about California have become a recurring theme in his campaign, as he seeks to motivate voters to support GOP candidates. At a recent Oklahoma rally, he claimed that Republicans need to maintain control of Congress to continue addressing alleged fraud in blue states like California. He stated that billions of dollars of fraud are occurring in such states.
In a social media post, Trump attributed rising fuel costs to states like California, stating, 'What’s driving up Gasoline is no longer the Strait of Hormuz.' He claimed that refinery closures in blue states are responsible for high gas prices. Later, he contradicted himself by promising that fuel costs would decrease once the conflict in Iran was resolved.
Polling indicates that Trump's handling of the economy is viewed negatively, even among Republicans. A University of Massachusetts Amherst poll found that only 22% of Americans consider the economy to be in a good or fair state. In California, a UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll revealed that 70% of voters disapprove of Trump's decision to engage in war with Iran, including 20% of Republicans.
As Trump continues to rally his base, his strategy of using California as a target may pose risks, particularly when he makes incendiary comments about potential threats to the state. Political analysts suggest that this approach could backfire, especially among Republican voters in California who may not respond favorably to such rhetoric.