{
  "id": 12522411,
  "title": "White House defends Trump comment to let Iran ‘take out’ LA and San Diego",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/white-house-defends-trump-comment-to-let-iran-take-out-la-and-san",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-07T02:12:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Chronicle Ghana",
    "slug": "the-chronicle-ghana",
    "url": "https://thechronicle.com.gh/white-house-defends-trump-comment-to-let-iran-take-out-la-and-san-diego/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "White House officials defended Donald Trump's controversial statement suggesting Iran could \"take out\" major cities in California, including Los Angeles and San Diego. The remark surfaced during a rally in Nebraska, where Trump argued that it would be a \"small price to pay\" for maintaining national security. California Governor Gavin Newsom labeled the comments \"deranged and dangerous,\" while Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass denounced them as an attempt to incite violence against American citizens. Both cities are home to significant US military installations, which could have been targeted in the hypothetical scenario. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria denounced the comments on his official social media account, calling for Trump to refrain from \"reckless war talk.\" Despite the backlash from top California officials, President Trump has yet to issue a response to the criticism.",
  "summary": "Donald Trump’s remark that Iran could “take out” Los Angeles and San Diego have sparked fierce backlash from California politicians – and a strongly worded rebuttal from the White House. California Governor Gavin Newsom responded to the comments – made by Trump during a midterms rally in Nebraska – as “deranged and dangerous,” while LA […] The post White House defends Trump comment to let Iran…",
  "key_points": [
    "White House defends Trump's comment about Iran taking out LA and San Diego.",
    "California Governor Gavin Newsom calls comments deranged and dangerous.",
    "Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass denounces comments as incitement to violence."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The White House defence of Trump's comment signals a discordant approach to national security, one that prioritizes hardline rhetoric over soothing concerns of violence and instability.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "Iran-US conflict escalates: Trump warns of 'not-so-nice' end, Vance demands enrichment cuts as oil blockade hits Iran economy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/iran-us-conflict-escalates-trump-warns-of-not-so-nice-end-vance",
        "published": "2026-10-07T04:04:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Asia Times",
        "title": "Trump finds it’s funny to joke about Iran bombing California",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/trump-finds-its-funny-to-joke-about-iran-bombing-california",
        "published": "2026-10-07T05:41:06.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}