During a rally held in Nebraska, Donald Trump expressed to his followers his hope of achieving a victory in the November midterm elections, which are drawing near rapidly.
In that speech he also stated that the elevated prices resulting from a war with Iran would be a “small price to pay to keep the world safe, to keep our country safe.”
However, what drew attention and anger from many outside the venue of the rally were the comments where he suggested that Iran could “eliminate” Los Angeles and San Diego, two liberal-leaning cities located in a Democratic-leaning state that has been a frequent target of his administration.
“They could end a city, end Los Angeles. End San Diego,” said Trump.
In response, California leaders have labeled Donald Trump as “reckless” and “disturbed.”
“The role of a president is to protect the country, not actively threaten it or encourage attacks against American lives,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
Meanwhile, the White House came to Trump’s defense, trying to present its side of the story regarding these remarks.
“It clearly stated that American cities would have been threatened if a nuclear Iran had not been stopped,” said Steven Cheung, White House Communications Director, via social media.