The White House has clarified remarks made by former President Donald Trump at a rally in Nebraska, stating that his comments about Iran potentially attacking U.S. cities were misinterpreted and misrepresented by the media. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung asserted that Trump was not suggesting he wanted Iran to attack American cities, but rather was emphasizing the need to prevent Tehran from acquiring such capabilities.
During his remarks Monday night, Trump discussed the Iran war and its impact on gas prices, a topic he linked to the midterm elections. He reportedly said, "It’s a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe. They can take out a city. Let ’em take out Los Angeles, let ’em take out San Diego. This is a very small price to pay." Trump made these comments in his characteristic style, often speaking at length and deviating from prepared remarks.
The statements drew criticism from various figures, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat. Newsom characterized Trump's remarks as "deranged and dangerous," interpreting them as suggesting foreign enemies should "take out" Los Angeles and San Diego. Jim Desmond, the Republican congressional nominee in a San Diego district and a Navy veteran, also voiced concerns, stating that he served to protect Americans and would not write off American cities as an acceptable cost of war.
Cheung countered these interpretations on Tuesday, explaining on social media that Trump's comments were "clearly stating U.S. cities would have been threatened if a nuclear Iran hadn’t been stopped." He added that "America is safer because of the President" and that Iran "has no nuclear, no navy, no air force, and no money."
This is not the first time Trump has used strong language to criticize U.S. cities. He has previously described cities that lean heavily Democratic as "blood-soaked killing fields" during campaign rallies.
Iran has maintained that it is not pursuing nuclear weapons, though it has enriched uranium to levels close to weapons-grade, which do not serve a civilian purpose.