{
  "id": 12989071,
  "title": "Trump says comment that Iran could ‘take out’ LA was misinterpreted",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/trump-says-comment-that-iran-could-take-out-la-was-misinterpreted-12989071",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-08T23:34:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/10/09/trump-says-comment-that-iran-could-take-out-la-was-misinterpreted"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "US President Donald Trump clarified on Thursday that his remarks about Iran potentially \"taking out\" California cities were misunderstood, stating that he meant higher gas prices were a small price to pay for Iran not possessing nuclear weapons. Trump initially made the comments at a political rally in Nebraska on Monday while discussing wartime economic sacrifices. He said gas prices were artificially high, but it was a small price to pay to ensure the world's safety and that of the United States. Cities like Los Angeles and San Diego were cited as examples of what Iran could target, but Trump maintained that such an attack would be a \"very small price to pay\" and that the conflict would soon be over. Democratic leaders in California and some Republican colleagues swiftly criticized Trump's remarks. Trump later reiterated his stance in a post on Truth Social, emphasizing that the small price of higher gas prices was worth it in order to prevent Iran from having nuclear capabilities. He also expressed his love for both Los Angeles and San Diego despite the hypothetical threats. Trump has previously downplayed cost-of-living concerns related to the Iran issue.",
  "summary": "The US president made the remarks at a political rally in Nebraska as he spoke about Americans' wartime economic sacrifices.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "Exclusive subscriber panel event - Trump’s midterm test",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/exclusive-subscriber-panel-event-trumps-midterm-test",
        "published": "2026-10-08T21:59:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Trump rules out new attack on Iran before US midterm elections",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/trump-rules-out-new-attack-on-iran-before-us-midterm-elections",
        "published": "2026-10-08T22:07:21.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Trump rules out new Iran attack before US midterm elections, cites ‘productive discussions’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/trump-rules-out-new-iran-attack-before-us-midterm-elections-cites",
        "published": "2026-10-09T01:15:55.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}