Trump blames ‘fake artificial news’ for twisting his ‘take out’ remarks on LA and San Diego

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Thursday, October 8, accused the media of misrepresenting his remarks about Iran potentially attacking Los Angeles and San Diego, saying he was comparing higher gasoline prices with the consequences of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.

Trump's defense followed two appearances in which he suggested the Iranian threat could extend to the California cities, prompting criticism from state and local leaders. Trump maintained that his comments were intended to illustrate the cost of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon rather than encourage an attack on American cities.

Trump says media misinterpreted his remarks on California cities

Trump accused news organizations of falsely portraying his comments as an invitation for Iran to bomb the two cities. “The Fake and Artificial News is out there trying to say that I’m inviting the enemy to bomb San Diego and Los Angeles when, in actuality, what I was talking about was that a temporary increase in the price of Gasoline is a small price to pay for Iran not having a Nuclear Weapon,” Trump wrote.

The president then argued that an actual attack on the cities would carry a far greater cost than the temporary economic impact of the conflict.

“If you want to see a big price, can you imagine what it would be like if they bombed San Diego and/or Los Angeles?” he wrote, adding that he loved both cities.

Trump also accused the media of deliberately distorting his statements. “Everybody knew that, the Fake News knew it as well, but they continue to go out and say that I am asking the enemy to bomb two Cities that I love,” he wrote. Trump concluded by calling his critics “Degenerates” and accusing them of spreading “Fake News!”

The dispute began on Monday, October 5, when Trump discussed the economic consequences of the Iran conflict at a rally in Nebraska. While arguing that higher fuel prices were a relatively small sacrifice for national security, Trump said that “they could take out a city. Let 'em take out Los Angeles, let 'em take out San Diego. This is a very small price to pay, and it's going to be over ‌with ⁠very soon.”

Trump repeats remarks in Texas as California officials condemn comments

Trump returned to the subject two days later at a rally in San Antonio, Texas, where he again referred to the possibility of Iranian missiles hitting the California cities.

“You want to see trauma? I said it the other day: let them hit a missile into San Diego or Los Angeles on the way. Let them hit,” Trump said on Wednesday, October 7. “We’re not going to let that happen. We protect our cities. We protect our country. We’re not letting that,” he added.

The remarks drew criticism from California officials, who raised concerns about the potential implications for public safety.

California Governor Gavin Newsom described the comments as “deranged and dangerous,” while Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said they were “dangerous and could potentially compromise our safety.”

Newsom also announced that he was directing the State Threat Assessment Center to monitor the situation in case foreign actors interpreted Trump's remarks as an invitation to target California.

“Donald Trump’s remarks were dangerous — if not treasonous — putting a target on two of our biggest cities and one of America’s largest naval hubs. I am directing the State Threat Assessment Center to actively monitor the situation in the event that foreign actors interpret the President’s remarks as an invitation to target California,” Newsom wrote.

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria also pushed back on Trump's comments, writing on social media that “San Diego is not collateral damage. We are not expendable. And we are never a ‘small price to pay.’ Keep our city out of your reckless war talk.”