Trump doubles down about Iran bombing San Diego or LA as 25th Amendment calls mount
Trump doubles down about Iran bombing San Diego or LA as 25th Amendment calls mount
Reanna Smith Thu, October 8, 2026 at 8:14 AM UTC
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Trump doubled down during a rally in Texas (Image: MANDEL NGAN, AFP via Getty Images)
Donald Trump is confronting growing pressure for his ouster following his repeated remarks about potential attacks on San Diego or Los Angeles.
The 80-year-old president triggered widespread condemnation after suggesting at a Nebraska rally on Monday night that Iran could "take out" either US city, calling it a "small price to pay. "It's a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe. They can take out a city. Let them take out Los Angeles, let them take out San Diego," Trump stated in Grand Island as attendees applauded.
By Wednesday, the president reiterated similar views during a San Antonio, Texas rally. Trump sought to justify that he had "no choice" but to initiate military action to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities.
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"You want to see problems? And I said it the other day: Let them hit a missile into San Diego or Los Angeles on the way. Let them hit. You want to see a horror show? You want to see problems?" he asked the audience.
"Let them hit San Diego. Let them hit Los Angeles if you want to see some bad things happen. You want to see a country that would be in free fall?" Trump went on.
This time, though, Trump clarified: "We're not going to let that happen. We protect our cities. We protect our country. We're not letting that happen."
Notably, during his initial remarks, Trump made no commitment to safeguarding San Diego or Los Angeles. Critics have responded with outrage to the recurring remarks.
"The entire California Congressional contingent should be pushing for his impeachment and removal," one X user wrote.
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Trump is facing calls for his removal (Image: Getty Images)
"He's lost his mind... this isn't a joke.... REMOVE! ! ! !" a second commented. "He's insane and needs to be removed immediately," a third agreed.
"Any rational person with an ounce of integrity acknowledges this should result in immediate removal from office," a fourth said.
"So he was being serious and the WH rapid response lied i cannot believe he's doubling down on this 25th amendment NOW," another demanded.
The White House moved to defend Trump's original statements. White House Communications Director Stephen Cheung characterized the "media freakout" over the comments as "not rooted in reality".
The president was branded 'deranged' over the comments (Image: Getty Images)
"He was clearly stating US cities would have been threatened if a nuclear Iran hadn't been stopped," Cheung wrote on X "America is safer because of the President. Iran has no nuclear, no navy, no air force, and no money".
The White House's Rapid Response account echoed this position. "No, he didn't, you buffoons. He was saying the U.S. is fighting to STOP Iran from having the ability to take out LA and San Diego with a nuclear weapon - which they would if they had the chance," they wrote in response to a Los Angeles Times post claiming that Trump has suggesting "letting Iran take out Los Angeles or San Diego."
California Governor Gavin Newsom labeled Trump as "deranged and dangerous" in response to his remarks.
Following Wednesday's rally, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed her concerns to NBC News: "To do that makes us look ridiculous on the world stage, but it also gives a green light to Iran, the nation that he chose to attack, the green light to attack our cities."
Source: “AOL Breaking”
