Trump draws cheers, then criticism for musing about Iran taking out U.S. cities

The White House has responded to accusations by Democrats that President Donald Trump suggested Iran should target major US cities like Los Angeles and San Diego. President Trump made these remarks during a midterm elections rally in Nebraska, stating that the high oil prices resulting from the Iran war were justified by the necessity to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

He added that the cost of maintaining global safety and protecting the country was relatively minor, and it would be over swiftly. Los Angeles and San Diego, both located in California, are the two cities Trump allegedly mentioned taking out.

California Governor Gavin Newsom and Democratic minority leader in the US House of Representatives Hakeem Jeffries denounced Trump's comments, calling him deranged and dangerous, and emphasizing that the nuclear annihilation of an American city is no laughing matter. However, the White House vehemently refuted these claims, asserting that Trump was not advocating for Iran to attack US cities.

The White House Communications Director, Steven Cheung, explained that Trump was addressing the threat posed by a nuclear-armed Iran, clarifying that his comments were not a call for Iran to take out the American cities. The White House claimed it was a media "freakout" not rooted in reality.