WASHINGTON — California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday night called President Trump “deranged” after Trump appeared to joke that Iran could “take out” Los Angeles or San Diego if it acquired nuclear weapons.
Speaking at a pre-midterm rally in Nebraska, Trump defended the war in Iran and argued that higher gas prices were a “small price to pay” to shield the United States from a nuclear-armed Islamic Republic.
“With the war, it’s just artificial. It’s a little bit high. It’s a small price to pay for keeping the world safe. For keeping our country safe,” Trump told supporters. “They can take out a city. Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego.
“This is a very small price to pay, and it’s going to be over with very soon.”
The comments immediately triggered outrage among California officials, who said Trump appeared to suggest that Iran should be allowed to destroy two of the nation’s largest cities.
“After sending the National Guard and Marines to occupy California, Donald Trump is now saying our foreign enemies should ‘take out’ Los Angeles and San Diego,” Newsom wrote on X.
“He is deranged and dangerous.”
The governor’s press office also criticized Trump, saying, “The President is advocating for an attack on 10+ million U.S. residents in two of America’s largest cities.”
“This is not normal. None of this is.”
White House communications director Steven Cheung responded on X Tuesday morning.
“The media freakout over President Trump’s comments is not rooted in reality,” Cheung wrote. “He was clearly stating U.S. cities would have been threatened if a nuclear Iran hadn’t been stopped. America is safer because of the President. Iran has no nuclear, no navy, no air force, and no money.”
White House spokesperson Davis Ingle offered a brief response to The Post, saying, “Gavin Newscum is the worst governor in America, and he also may be the dumbest.”
Trump has maintained a tense relationship with California Democrats. Last year, he publicly criticized Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass over what he described as the slow reconstruction effort following the deadly Palisades wildfire.
As Newsom appears to position himself for a possible 2028 presidential campaign, Trump has repeatedly attacked him as “Newscum,” a nickname that has since been embraced by the president’s most loyal supporters.
Bass also condemned Trump’s comments, calling them “dangerous.”
“The role of a president is to protect the country, not to actively threaten it and encourage attacks on American lives,” she said in a statement.
California Democratic gubernatorial nominee Xavier Becerra also criticized Trump.
“Thirteen million Californians call LA and San Diego counties home. Their lives are not a ‘small price to pay’ or a punchline for Donald Trump,” he jabbed on X.
Trump has been ramping up his midterm campaigning regimen this month, with a number of stops scheduled in traditionally Republican states.
Democrats are favored to regain control of the House, while the fate of the Senate is seen as a toss-up with four weeks to go before election day.
“My Rally crowds and enthusiasm are unbelievable! Nobody has ever seen anything like it. We are flipping races all over the place,” Trump declared on Truth Social Tuesday. “The Dumocrats never counted on this.”
“Watch for the ‘Midterm Surprise!’”
