President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, that the United States would protect its cities from foreign threats, following criticism of remarks he made about potential missile strikes on California. Speaking at a campaign rally in San Antonio, Texas, Trump referred to previous comments regarding Iran and the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, saying, “We’re not going to let that happen. We protect our cities.”
The clarification followed a Monday rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, where Trump discussed the impact of an Iran war on gas prices and the Strait of Hormuz. During that event, Trump said, “They can take out a city—let ’em take, let ’em take out Los Angeles, let ’em take out San Diego. That’s—this is a very small price to pay.” On Wednesday, he recast these statements by framing a hypothetical strike as a "horror show" that the U.S. would prevent.
Democratic officials in California criticized the initial comments. Governor Gavin Newsom (D) described Trump as "deranged and dangerous" and suggested the 25th Amendment should be invoked. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) called the remarks dangerous, and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria (D) stated that his city was "not collateral damage." Republican congressional candidate Jim Desmond, who Trump endorsed, also said he "vehemently" disagreed, stating no city is expendable.
White House communications director Steven Cheung defended the president, stating on Tuesday that the media reaction was "not rooted in reality." Cheung said Trump was stating U.S. cities would have been threatened if Iran’s nuclear program had not been stopped. On Tuesday, Trump declined to answer clarifying questions from reporters during events at the White House, including one for Gold Star Families.
The incident also affected the relationship between the White House and the press corps. The president's repeated refusal to clarify his remarks on Tuesday was followed by his communications team labeling media inquiries as a "hoax" and "Fake News." Journalists reported being ignored when seeking details on the president's intended meaning behind the phrase "take out."
What happens next depends on the upcoming 2026 midterm elections, where these comments have become a focal point in California congressional races. Voters in districts like California’s 48th will choose between candidates like Marni von Wilpert, who suggested the remarks were an impeachable offense, and Jim Desmond, who disagreed with the president while maintaining his endorsement. Additionally, the U.S. military is reportedly preparing new Iran war options ahead of the midterms.