Trump Mocks Iran's Threat to Target Los Angeles and San Diego

WHO:

Alternet - Mary L. Trump, psychologist and niece of Trump, stated that her uncle's speech was influenced by his "pathological" insecurity.

Alternet - John Mearsheimer, a University of Chicago political scientist, commented on Trump's war strategy, stating, "It’s very simple... he has no choice. He lost the war. This is a devastating defeat for the United States."

CBS News - Governor Gavin Newsom called Trump "deranged and dangerous" after he suggested letting Iran "take out" Los Angeles and San Diego.

CNN - Mary L. Trump, psychologist and niece of Trump, commented on his speech patterns and insecurities.

CBS News - Governor Gavin Newsom called Trump "deranged and dangerous."

Alternet - Trump is referred to as President Donald Trump in the article.

WHAT:

Alternet - Trump described the bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025, claiming, "And then at 1 o’clock in the morning with no moon, dark as can be, these unbelievable machines led by the most incredible pilots in the world, they unloaded; every single bomb went right down air chutes into this, uh, drug factories, really."

Alternet - Dr. Ed Gresser, Vice President and Director for Trade and Global Markets at the Progressive Policy Institute, explained that destruction of Iranian energy facilities will likely keep gasoline prices high even after the war ends.

Alternet - Trump stated, "It's a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe," while joking about Iran attacking Los Angeles and San Diego during a rally in Nebraska.

Alternet - Trump claimed, "They can take out a city. Let them take— let it, let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego."

Alternet - Trump stated, "In September, Trump promised that the war would end shortly after the midterm elections."

Alternet - Trump claimed, "I think the war is gonna end immediately after the election," and repeated this statement.

Alternet - Trump reassured the audience that gas prices would eventually go down and reiterated a pledge that he has made repeatedly without it materializing.

Alternet - Trump stated, "You know, they always say they have a big threshold for pain. They need it," while discussing the potential destruction of cities during a rally in Nebraska.

Alternet - Trump stated, "It's a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe," while joking about Iran attacking Los Angeles and San Diego during a rally in Nebraska.

Alternet - Trump claimed, "This is a very small price to pay, and it's going to be over very soon. It's essentially almost over with, and they might keep going a little long."

Alternet - Trump reiterated, "I think the war is gonna end immediately after the election," during the rally.

Alternet - Trump stated, "In September, Trump promised that the war would end shortly after the midterm elections."

Alternet - Trump claimed, "I think the war is gonna end immediately after the election," and repeated this statement.

Alternet - Trump stated, "You know, they always say they have a big threshold for pain. They need it," while discussing the potential destruction of cities during a rally in Nebraska.

Alternet - Trump reiterated his claim that "the war is gonna end immediately after the election," emphasizing this statement multiple times during the rally.

Alternet - Trump made a statement during a rally in Oklahoma, describing a bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025, claiming, "And then at 1 o’clock in the morning with no moon, dark as can be, these unbelievable machines led by the most incredible pilots in the world, they unloaded; every single bomb went right down air chutes into this, uh, drug factories, really."

CNN - Trump’s claim about the bombing of Iranian facilities bewildered experts, with James Acton stating, "Wow… That one is new to me."

Alternet - Trump stated, "This is a very small price to pay, and it's going to be over very soon. It's essentially almost over with, and they might keep going a little long."

Alternet - Trump claimed, "I think the war will end immediately after the election," and repeated this statement.

CBS News - Trump suggested letting Iran "take out" Los Angeles and San Diego during a rally.

Alternet - Trump joked about Iran attacking Los Angeles and San Diego, stating, "It's a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe."

Alternet - Trump claimed, "They can take out a city. Let them take— let it, let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego."

Alternet - Trump reassured the audience that gas prices would eventually go down and reiterated a pledge that he has made repeatedly without it materializing.

Alternet - Trump stated, "I think the war is gonna end immediately after the election," and repeated this claim.

WHERE:

Alternet - The comments were made during a rally in Nebraska.

WHY:

Alternet - John Mearsheimer stated that Trump's acceptance of Iran imposing tolls on the Strait of Hormuz indicates he has effectively lost the war.

Alternet - John Mearsheimer stated, "It’s very simple... he has no choice. He lost the war. This is a devastating defeat for the United States," regarding Trump's war strategy against Iran.

Alternet - John Mearsheimer, a University of Chicago political scientist, stated, "It’s very simple... he has no choice. He lost the war. This is a devastating defeat for the United States."

Alternet - Trump defended his decision to wage an unprovoked war against Iran by suggesting that the destruction of cities is a minor cost for national safety, stating, "It's a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe."

CNN - Mary Trump suggested her uncle's garbled speech was due to his "pathological" insecurity, stating he can "never, ever admit making a mistake, no matter how tiny and insignificant."

Alternet - Trump defended his decision to wage an unprovoked war against Iran, suggesting that the destruction of cities is a minor cost for national safety.

Alternet - Trump defended his decision to wage an unprovoked war against Iran, suggesting that the potential destruction of cities is a minor cost for national safety.

HOW:

Alternet - Trump indicated that Iran's actions, such as shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, have caused gas prices to skyrocket.

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 23:57 UTC)

Mary L. Trump, a psychologist and niece of Trump, has suggested that her uncle's recent speech reflects his "pathological" insecurity, while political scientist John Mearsheimer criticized Trump's war strategy, declaring that he has "no choice" after what he described as a devastating defeat for the United States. In his remarks, Trump recounted the bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025, claiming that the precision of the operation was remarkable, as "every single bomb went right down air chutes." Mearsheimer further noted that Trump's acceptance of Iran's tolls on the Strait of Hormuz signifies a loss in the conflict, and Dr. Ed Gresser warned that the destruction of Iranian energy facilities will likely keep gasoline prices elevated even after the war concludes.

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 22:59 UTC)

Governor Gavin Newsom has called Trump "deranged and dangerous" after the former president suggested during a rally in Nebraska that it might be acceptable for Iran to "take out" Los Angeles and San Diego. Trump claimed that allowing such an attack would be "a small price to pay for keeping the world safe," and he specifically stated, "Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego." Political analyst John Mearsheimer commented on Trump's war strategy against Iran, stating that it reflects a devastating defeat for the United States.

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 22:00 UTC)

Trump has promised that the war will end shortly after the midterm elections, stating, "I think the war is gonna end immediately after the election," while also reassuring his audience that gas prices will eventually decrease. However, experts like John Mearsheimer have pointed out that this situation reflects a devastating defeat for the United States, suggesting that Trump has no choice but to change his strategy. Additionally, Dr. Ed Gresser noted that the destruction of Iranian energy facilities may keep gasoline prices elevated even after the conflict concludes.

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 15:01 UTC)

At a rally in Nebraska, Trump remarked that the situation with Iran is "a small price to pay for keeping the world safe," joking about potential attacks on Los Angeles and San Diego. He also expressed confidence that the conflict would soon be over, stating, "I think the war is gonna end immediately after the election." Commenting on Trump's strategy, political analyst John Mearsheimer described it as a "devastating defeat for the United States," emphasizing that Trump has no choice but to acknowledge the loss.

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 14:02 UTC)

Trump has reiterated his belief that the war will conclude immediately after the upcoming midterm elections, a promise he made last month. Political scientist John Mearsheimer has weighed in, stating that Trump has no choice but to make such claims, as he views the situation as a devastating defeat for the United States. Additionally, Dr. Ed Gresser has warned that the destruction of Iranian energy facilities is expected to keep gasoline prices elevated even after the conflict comes to an end.

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 13:10 UTC)

During a rally in Nebraska, Trump discussed the potential destruction of cities, stating, "You know, they always say they have a big threshold for pain. They need it." He also reiterated his claim that "the war is gonna end immediately after the election," emphasizing this point multiple times. In defending his decision to wage an unprovoked war against Iran, Trump suggested that the destruction of cities is a minor cost for national safety, saying, "It's a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe."

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 12:00 UTC)

During a rally in Oklahoma, Trump made a controversial statement about a bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025, claiming that "every single bomb went right down air chutes into this, uh, drug factories, really." His remarks left experts puzzled, with James Acton expressing surprise, saying, "Wow… That one is new to me." Mary Trump, a psychologist and his niece, commented on her uncle's speech patterns, attributing his garbled delivery to "pathological" insecurity and his inability to admit mistakes.

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 11:00 UTC)

Trump recently stated that the ongoing conflict is a "very small price to pay" for national safety and suggested it would be "almost over with" soon. He also claimed that he believes the war will end immediately after the election, emphasizing this point multiple times. Additionally, Trump defended his decision to engage in the war against Iran, arguing that the destruction of cities is a minor cost compared to the impact of Iran's actions, like shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, which have led to skyrocketing gas prices.

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 07:15 UTC)

During a rally in Nebraska, Trump made controversial remarks suggesting that Iran could "take out" Los Angeles and San Diego, claiming it would be a "small price to pay for keeping the world safe." He defended his unprovoked war against Iran, stating that the potential destruction of cities is a minor cost for national safety, while also reassuring his audience that gas prices would eventually decrease. Governor Gavin Newsom responded to Trump's comments by labeling him as "deranged and dangerous."