US President Donald Trump, speaking at a campaign rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, on the evening of Monday 5 October 2026, defended the costs of the war with the Islamic Republic by saying let them hit Los Angeles, let them hit San Diego, adding that this is a very small price. According to Forbes, it is unclear whether Trump was daring the Islamic Republic to attack these cities or warning about the risk of such an attack. The remarks drew a sharp reaction from California's Democratic leaders.
In the same speech, Trump said the US war with the Islamic Republic will soon come to an end and that it is now certain the Islamic Republic will not obtain a nuclear weapon. According to Voice of America, he added that the Islamic Republic's officials know this themselves. He described the rise in US fuel prices as "artificial" and somewhat high, calling it a very small price for keeping the world and America safe.
Reactions to Trump's remarks on Los Angeles and San Diego
According to Forbes and the website TheWrap, California Governor Gavin Newsom called Trump "unhinged and dangerous" on X. California Senator Alex Padilla, pointing to the 19 US service members killed in this war, accused Trump of inviting an attack on US soil. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the president had asked a foreign government to attack the city, and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said the city is not collateral damage. Adam Schiff, California's other senator, also condemned the remarks. As of the publication of this report, the White House had not responded to media requests for comment.
Trump's claims about the war
In the speech, the US president claimed that American forces are pounding the Islamic Republic's navy, air force, radars and air defences, as well as its leadership. In a sarcastic tone, he said it is always said that the Islamic Republic has a high pain threshold, and in his view the Islamic Republic needs exactly this pressure. Trump also said US oil production now exceeds the combined output of Russia and Saudi Arabia, and compared the short US operation in Venezuela with the long wars in Vietnam and Afghanistan.
The remarks came a day after Trump held the Islamic Republic responsible for the attack on the flydubai flight, while US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had called the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz ironclad.
Trump called a possible attack on Los Angeles and San Diego a small price for ending the war with the Islamic Republic.
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