"Let them destroy Los Angeles".. Trump stirs controversy with statement about Iran war

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U.S. President Donald Trump sparked widespread controversy after he said during a campaign rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, that the price increases associated with the war with Iran represent a "small price" to pay for maintaining the security of the United States, before discussing the possibility of an American city being attacked.

Trump told his supporters yesterday, Monday, that Iran "can destroy an American city," adding: "Let them destroy Los Angeles, let them destroy San Diego," in remarks that provoked political reactions in California.

The U.S. president's comments came while discussing the war's impact on fuel and fertilizer prices, where he described the price increases as "artificial" and "a bit high," before asserting that this represents a limited cost compared to what he considered security gains from the war.

Trump added that "the price is very small," emphasizing that the war "will end very soon," and he also stated that he wants a "huge victory" in the upcoming midterm elections.

The mention of Los Angeles and San Diego, two of the largest cities in California, sparked strong reactions from state officials. California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized Trump's statements, considering the president's talk of potentially destroying American cities raises concerns about the implications of war.

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria also responded to the president's remarks, stating that his city is "not collateral damage," and that its residents are not "a cheap price to pay," calling for the city to be removed from the war-related discourse.

The statement sparked a debate about its implications, especially since the phrase "let them be destroyed" came in the context of the president discussing the economic cost of war and the risks he claims the United States is avoiding by continuing military operations.

The remarks can be interpreted as a comparison between a temporary economic cost and greater security risks, rather than an announcement of a policy allowing Iran to target American cities.

However, Trump's specific use of the names Los Angeles and San Diego added an additional political dimension to the statements, especially since the two cities are located in a state with a strong Democratic presence, and the remarks came weeks before the midterm elections.