President Donald Trump said at an Oct. 5 rally in Nebraska that Iran could “take out” Los Angeles and San Diego, comments that prompted criticism from members of both parties and a White House response that he had been taken out of context.
Speaking about the costs associated with the war, Trump said, “It’s a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe,” before adding that the cities could be taken out. He also referred to higher fuel and fertiliser prices, according to reports. Democrats said the comments appeared to suggest accepting attacks on U.S. cities; Republicans also questioned them, Al Jazeera reported.
The White House later said Trump’s remarks were misunderstood. FactCheck.org said the broader context and the administration’s clarification indicated he was arguing that the war would prevent Iran from threatening U.S. cities, while accepting higher gas prices as a sacrifice.