The White House has defended a comment by President Trump about letting Iran 'take out' Los Angeles and San Diego, saying he was warning of the dangers of a nuclear-armed Iran. California Governor Gavin Newsom called the remarks 'deranged'.
Key facts
- The White House defended a Trump comment about letting Iran 'take out' Los Angeles and San Diego.
- The White House said the president was warning of the risk of a nuclear Iran.
- California Governor Gavin Newsom called the remarks 'deranged'.
- The dispute was reported by the BBC.
The White House has defended a comment by President Donald Trump about letting Iran ‘take out’ Los Angeles and San Diego, according to the BBC. Officials said the president was warning of the risk posed by a nuclear-armed Iran rather than endorsing any attack on American cities.
The remark drew immediate criticism from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who described the comment as ‘deranged’, as reported by the BBC.
According to the BBC, the White House framed the president’s words as a cautionary statement about the dangers of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons. The administration’s response sought to position the comment within a broader warning about national security threats.
The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and California’s Democratic leadership, with Newsom among the president’s most vocal critics.
The BBC reported the contrasting characterisations side by side: Newsom’s condemnation of the remarks and the White House’s defence of them as a warning about a nuclear Iran.
No further details about the context of the president’s comment were provided in the available reporting.
Why it matters
Comments by a sitting president about major American cities and a foreign adversary carry significant weight both domestically and internationally. The sharp disagreement between the White House and a leading state governor underscores the deep political divisions shaping debate over national security and Iran policy.
Frequently asked questions
What did the White House say about Trump's comment?
According to the BBC, the White House said Trump was warning of the risk of a nuclear Iran.
How did Gavin Newsom respond?
California Governor Gavin Newsom called the remarks 'deranged', as reported by the BBC.
Which cities were mentioned in the comment?
The comment referred to Los Angeles and San Diego, according to the BBC.