Trump says comment that Iran could 'take out' Los Angeles was misinterpreted

US President Donald Trump clarified that his remarks about Iran potentially attacking Los Angeles and San Diego were misinterpreted, stating he was referring to the need for Americans to tolerate higher gas prices as a small price to pay for preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday clarified that his comments suggesting Iran could attack Los Angeles and San Diego were misinterpreted. Speaking at a political rally in Nebraska on Monday, Trump said that a temporary increase in gas prices was a small price to pay for keeping the world safe and preventing Iran from having a nuclear weapon. He said, "They could take out a city. Let 'em take out Los Angeles, let 'em take out San Diego." The remarks drew swift rebuke from California's Democratic leaders and some fellow Republicans. In a Truth Social post on Thursday, Trump explained that he was talking about the need for people to tolerate higher gas prices as a small price to pay for Iran not having a nuclear weapon. He asked, "If you want to see a big price, can you imagine what it would be like if they bombed San Diego and/or Los Angeles?" Trump has previously shrugged off cost-of-living concerns stemming from the Iran conflict.