Trump says Iran could 'take out' Los Angeles and San Diego at Nebraska rally, drawing backlash from California officials
At an October 5, 2026 campaign rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, President Donald Trump said Iran could 'take out' Los Angeles and San Diego, calling it a 'small price to pay' for safety. California officials including Governor Gavin Newsom, LA Mayor Karen Bass, and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria condemned the remarks, with some Republicans including congressional candidate Jim Desmond also distancing themselves. The White House said Trump was stating that U.S. cities would have been threatened if a nuclear Iran had not been stopped.
33
Divergence score
This event sits in the top 19% of divergence this week. 21 outlets covered it, splitting into 21 framing camps across 4 bias groups.
21 camps
4 bias groups
The spectrum · how 21 outlets placed this story
LeftCenterRight
Politico
New York Times
Al Jazeera
Washington Examiner
BBC
Jerusalem Post
Globe and Mail
Breitbart
Axios
Washington Times
HuffPost
CNN
South China Morning Post
ABC News
Newsmax
Washington Post
CBS News
The Hill
NBC News
Reuters
NY Post
Supportive of action
Neutral
Dismissive
Critical
Alarmist
International angle
Widest split · the two outlets furthest apart, and who published first
Furthest apart on this story
New York Times
What, Exactly, Did Trump Say About Iran Taking Out Los Angeles and San Diego?
full transcript and context analysis · neutral
NY Post
Newsom blasts 'deranged and dangerous' Trump for joking that Iran could 'take out' LA and San Diego
Trump joked about Iran attacking cities · negative
First to report
- Reutersfirst
- CNN+36 min
- Politico+3.2 h
- Al Jazeera+4.4 h
- Washington Post+4.4 h
- ABC News+6.7 h
- Globe and Mail+9.5 h
- NY Post+10.4 h
- Axios+11.4 h
- BBC+11.4 h
- Washington Times+11.8 h
- Jerusalem Post+12.6 h
By each outlet's earliest publish time in this story. Feeds that index slowly can appear later than they printed.
Headlines that changed · the same article, re-listed with a new headline
ABC News · 2026-10-06 13:58 UTC
Trump suggests Iran could 'take out' Los Angeles and San Diego
Washington Examiner · 2026-10-06 17:28 UTC
Trump sparks outrage for suggesting that Iran could ‘take out’ Los Angeles and San Diego
The split, in one line
Outlets split on whether Trump was inviting Iran to attack U.S. cities or warning what Iran could do without intervention. The White House's out of context defense anchors one camp; California officials' deranged and dangerous framing anchors the other.
How each outlet covered it
Broad agreement on what happened
Outlets across the spectrum land in roughly the same place: the shared language is highlighted.
THE LEFT
“Newsom Says State To Monitor Threats After Trump Says Iran Can Hit Democrat-Led Cities”HP HuffPost LEFT
33LOW DIVERGENCE
DOWN THE MIDDLE
“California's Newsom calls Trump 'deranged' after he suggests Iran could 'take out' Los Angeles or San Diego” · Politico, Al Jazeera, BBC, Jerusalem Post, Globe and Mail, Axios, South China Morning Post, The Hill, Reuters
+Hide the full sourcingSee how all 21 outlets put it
LEFT4
TNew York Times What, Exactly, Did Trump Say About Iran Taking Out Los Angeles and San Diego? 2d ago HPHuffPost Newsom Says State To Monitor Threats After Trump Says Iran Can Hit Democrat-Led Cities 2d ago CNNCNN Trump draws backlash after he suggests Iran could 'take out' Los Angeles or San Diego 3d ago WPWashington Post California leaders slam Trump for saying Iran could 'take out' L.A. or San Diego 3d ago LEFT-CENTER3
ABCABC News Trump suggests Iran could 'take out' LA and San Diego if it develops nuclear weapons 3d ago CBSCBS News 10/6: The Takeout with Major Garrett 2d ago NBCNBC News California Democrats slam Trump's comment on Iran 2d ago CENTER4
PPolitico 'Out of touch': California pols answer Altman 3d ago AAxios Trump remarks that Iran could "take out" Los Angeles, San Diego draw backlash 3d ago HThe Hill California Democrats demand Trump apology for rally remarks 2d ago RReuters California governor condemns Trump's 'let 'em take Los Angeles' comments 3d ago RIGHT5
WEWashington Examiner California officials furious over Trump's Los Angeles San Diego Iran remarks 2d ago BBreitbart White House Fires Back at Critics After Trump's Remark That Iran 'Can Take Out a City' 2d ago WTWashington Times Trump did not call for attacks on U.S. cities but explained how he's preventing them, WH aide says 3d ago NMNewsmax WH Defends Trump Over Iran Remarks on LA, San Diego - Newsmax 2d ago NYPNY Post Newsom blasts 'deranged and dangerous' Trump for joking that Iran could 'take out' LA and San Diego 3d ago INTERNATIONAL5
AJAl Jazeera Politicians slam Trump's suggestion that Iran 'take' San Diego, Los Angeles 2d ago BBCBBC White House defends Trump comment to let Iran 'take out' LA and San Diego 3d ago JPJerusalem Post 'Let 'em take out Los Angeles': Trump sparks fury after barb suggesting Iran destroy LA, San Diego 3d ago GMGlobe and Mail California's Newsom calls Trump 'deranged' after he suggests Iran could 'take out' Los Angeles or San Diego 3d ago SCSouth China Morning Post Trump says Iran could 'take out' Los Angeles or San Diego, drawing backlash 2d ago 6 tracked claims across 21 outlets
Fact ledger
All6Claimed1Corroborated5
2/21
Claimed
Newsom directed the State Threat Assessment Center to monitor potential threats from foreign actors interpreting Trump's remarks as an invitation
Corroborated
Disputed
5 more tracked claimsSign up free to see the full ledger