Trump Dodges Question on Iran Cities Remark
The president offered a dismissive hand gesture when asked about his earlier comments suggesting Iran could target Los Angeles and San Diego.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday brushed aside a reporter's question regarding his recent controversial remark about Iran potentially targeting Los Angeles and San Diego.
As Trump approached reporters outside the White House, a journalist inquired, "Mr. President, what did you mean by your comments yesterday about San Diego and Los Angeles possibly being wiped out by Iran?" Trump responded by swatting his hand in a dismissive gesture.
The president's remark, made at a rally on Monday, appeared to be an attempt to explain the justification for high fuel prices. "It’s a little bit high," Trump had said. "It’s a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe. They could take out a city. Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego."
The comment drew criticism from some cable news personalities. A CNN fact-checker offered a defense of Trump's statement, while the White House claimed the president was suggesting U.S. cities would have been threatened if a "nuclear Iran hadn’t been stopped."
During Tuesday's press gaggle, Trump did not directly address the remark about the California cities. He proceeded to answer a question about his proposed $5,000 "dividend" for voters before moving on.