‘The View’ slams Trump for saying Iran could ‘take out’ LA, San Diego: 'He's inviting the regime'

Donald Trump said Iran could 'take out' Los Angeles or San Diego, calling it 'a very small price to pay' at a Nebraska rally
Whoopi Goldberg questioned why Donald Trump’s remarks had not sparked stronger outrage in government, saying, 'He doesn’t sound like he’s kidding' (@TheView/X)
Whoopi Goldberg questioned why Donald Trump’s remarks had not sparked stronger outrage in government, saying, 'He doesn’t sound like he’s kidding' (@TheView/X)

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: The hosts of ‘The View’ have strongly reacted to President Donald Trump’s remarks about Los Angeles and San Diego, with Ana Navarro warning that Americans should not quickly move past the comments.

The discussion came after Trump said at a midterm rally in Nebraska that Iran could “take out” either California city.

Trump said, “They can take out a city. Let them take it. Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego. This is a very small price to pay.”

His comments have drawn criticism from California officials, including Gov Gavin Newsom, who called them “deranged and dangerous.” The mayors of Los Angeles and San Diego also condemned the president’s remarks as “reckless.”



Ana Navarro and Whoopi Goldberg slam Trump remarks

Ana Navarro said Trump’s remarks amounted to an invitation for Iran to target two American cities. “He’s basically inviting this regime to come out and take two American cities,” Navarro said.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 08: Ana Navarro attends a discussion of the View's
Ana Navarro attends a discussion of the View's 'Behind the Table' podcast at 92NY on October 08, 2024 in New York City (Gary Gershoff/Getty Images)

Whoopi Goldberg questioned why the comments had not triggered a stronger reaction from people in government.

“How has this not enraged people in government?” Goldberg asked. “I mean, this is supposed to be the president of the United States. And they say, ‘Oh, no, he’s kidding.’ He doesn’t sound like he’s kidding.”

Goldberg also questioned why more people were not reacting to Trump speaking about American cities in that way.

Whoopi Goldberg attends the premiere of
Whoopi Goldberg attends the premiere of 'Till' during the 60th New York Film Festival at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on October 01, 2022 in New York City (Getty Images)

“Why isn’t anybody on fire that this man is talking about states in his own country?” she asked.

White House responds to Trump’s California comments

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung dismissed what he called the “media freakout” over Trump’s remarks.

“The media freakout over President Trump’s comments is not rooted in reality,” Cheung said in a statement. He said Trump was referring to how US cities would have been threatened if Iran had not been stopped from having nuclear weapons.

“America is safer because of the president,” Cheung added, saying Iran has “no nuclear, no navy, no air force, and no money.”

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 02: (L-R) White House Communications Director Steven Cheung and executive assistant to U.S. President Donald Trump Natalie Harp look on during a meeting with U.S. travel executives in the Oval Office of the White House on September 02, 2026 in Washington, DC. President Trump met with executives from travel companies including American Airlines, Marriott, MGM Resorts, Carnival, Caesars Entertainment, Hard Rock International, Venetian, and Raffles & Fairmont. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
(L-R) White House Communications Director Steven Cheung and executive assistant to President Donald Trump Natalie Harp look on during a meeting with US travel executives in the Oval Office of the White House on September 02, 2026 in Washington, DC (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Navarro rejected the idea of treating Trump’s remarks as something lighthearted.

She questioned how Iran might interpret what the president said and warned that the public could quickly move on from the controversy.

“The question is, how are the Iranians going to treat it?” Navarro said.

She then repeated her warning: “I think shame on us if we forget about this tomorrow because we cannot normalize the unhinged, deranged, manic, evil, outrageous behavior by the president of the United States.”

Former White House Communications Director and ‘The View’ co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin also criticized Trump’s comments, calling them “absolute madness.”

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 08: Alyssa Farah Griffin attends a discussion of the View's
Alyssa Farah Griffin attends a discussion of the View's 'Behind the Table' podcast at 92NY on October 08, 2024 in New York City (Gary Gershoff/Getty Images)

Griffin said Americans have become so used to controversial remarks that they could soon forget what was said.

“We’re so used to it that, by tomorrow, no one’s going to remember that he said it,” she said. Navarro responded, “Shame on us if we forget about this tomorrow.”

Sunny Hostin raises 25th Amendment over Trump

Sunny Hostin took the discussion further by raising the possibility of removing Trump from office under the 25th Amendment.

“We’re talking about 10 million Americans,” Hostin said. “I think it’s time for people to start taking seriously the possibility of maybe the 25th Amendment.”

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 12: Sunny Hostin attends the
Sunny Hostin attends the 'Barbara Walters Tell Me Everything' premiere during the 2025 Tribeca Festival at SVA Theater on June 12, 2025 in New York City (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival)

The comments from ‘The View’ hosts followed backlash to Trump’s remarks about Los Angeles and San Diego.

Newsom described the president’s comments as “deranged and dangerous,” while the mayors of both cities also spoke out against what they viewed as reckless comments about American communities.

RELATED TOPICS THE VIEW US STRIKES IRAN

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Host Greta Brawner stressed that greater access to the president did not mean giving up independent reporting
Sep 25, 2026
Sunny Hostin recalled that her daughter, who wears a large afro, was subjected to bullying involving her hair
Sep 22, 2026
Brian Stelter said removing major news outlets from the regular press rotation could create practical problems for covering Trump
Sep 20, 2026
The court filing comes amid a separate dispute over Jimmy Kimmel’s interview with Texas Senate candidate James Talarico
Sep 18, 2026
Joy Behar criticized Donald Trump Jr after he confirmed Russian businessman Umar Kremlev helped fund his wedding, calling it a 'generous gift'
Sep 16, 2026
Maria Bartiromo's future became a subject of speculation almost immediately after Fox News announced her departure on September 3
Sep 10, 2026
Kimmel said the FCC had threatened him, his show, and ABC over 'simple, traditional editorial decisions, guest bookings it would seem they don’t like'
Sep 10, 2026
Whoopi Goldberg invoked Barbara Walters’ original vision for the talk show, urging viewers to engage with guests despite political differences
Sep 10, 2026
Reflecting on the concerns he had a decade or more ago, Jimmy Kimmel said many of them now seem insignificant in hindsight
Sep 5, 2026
The timing of Maria Bartiromo's exit quickly prompted questions about a potential role in the Trump administration
Sep 3, 2026