Trump says Iran destroying Los Angeles and San Diego would be “a small price”

US President Donald Trump said that if Iran were to strike the United States, the destruction of Los Angeles and San Diego would be a small price, according to TASS, RBC, RIA Novosti, Vedomosti, Kommersant and Meduza. Vedomosti quoted him as saying “Let them bomb Los Angeles. Let them bomb San Diego,” and that he called this “a small price.” Kommersant quoted him as “Let them destroy Los Angeles. Let them destroy San Diego. This is a very small price.” [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]

Kommersant and Meduza reported that the remarks were made at a rally in Grand Island, Nebraska. Kommersant described it as a pre-election rally, while Meduza said it was held in support of Republican senator Pete Ricketts. Kommersant and Meduza both reported that those present applauded. Meduza added that Trump said he wanted a “grand victory” in the US midterm elections and that he signed an executive order lifting restrictions on the use of cheaper “red” diesel. [ 5 , 6 ]

According to Kommersant and Meduza, Trump also said that higher prices for fuel and goods caused by the war were a small price for keeping the world and the country safe. He said the war would end soon and was “essentially almost over,” Vedomosti and Kommersant reported. Vedomosti noted that on 1 October Trump had said the war in Iran would end very soon, either with a US strike or a deal, and that Tehran says it has received a US response to a proposal on resuming operation of the Strait of Hormuz and that its leadership is studying the counter-proposal. [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]

Vedomosti reported that Trump provided no evidence that Iran has weapons of mass destruction or long-range weapons capable of such a strike. Meduza said it was unclear what the statement was based on, and, citing The Los Angeles Times, said the president was probably joking during a “rambling” speech. [ 4 , 6 ]

California officials criticised the remarks, Meduza reported. Governor Gavin Newsom called Trump “unhinged and dangerous.” San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said the city and its residents are “not collateral damage” and “not expendable.” Jim Desmond, a Republican congressional candidate from San Diego whom Trump has previously backed, also disagreed, according to Meduza, which noted that Nebraska traditionally votes Republican while California leans Democratic. [ 6 ]

Meduza reported that the US and Israel have been at war with Iran since late February, that Trump said the fighting was needed to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons, and that the war has reached a stalemate in recent months. Kommersant reported that Trump cited the risk of Iran obtaining nuclear weapons in March 2026 and in April 2026 linked a spike in petrol prices to Iranian attacks on commercial tankers. Kommersant also reported that Senator Chris Murphy has said most of Iran’s nuclear programme is underground, so it cannot be destroyed by strikes alone, and that a ground invasion would be more catastrophic and less popular; it said rising petrol prices and support for the Iran campaign at 34% created a serious domestic political problem for Trump in April 2026. Meduza reported that fuel prices have risen in many countries amid the Middle East war and the Russia-Ukraine war. [ 5 , 6 ]