Trump suggests Iran can 'take out' Los Angeles, San Diego, draws backlash

US President Donald Trump suggested to a crowd of his supporters in Nebraska that Iran could "take out" ‌a major US city like Los ⁠Angeles or San Diego, drawing a swift rebuke from California's Democratic leaders and some fellow Republicans.

Speaking at a campaign rally in Nebraska on Monday, Trump brought up the war with Iran and said he wanted to "see a tremendous victory" in the November midterm elections.

"It's a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe," he said, according to the newspaper. "They can take out a city, let 'em take out Los Angeles, let 'em take out San Diego. This is a very small price to pay."

California Governor Gavin Newsom called Trump "deranged and dangerous" in a post on social media platform X.

"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 said.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also slammed the remarks on X, saying that "the President of the United States suggested that a foreign government attack Los Angeles. His statements against our city are dangerous and could potentially compromise our safety."

"San Diego is not collateral damage. We are not expendable. And we are never 'a small price to pay,'" San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria posted on X, urging Trump to "keep our city out of your reckless war talk."

Jim Desmond, a California Republican seeking a US House seat, distanced himself from Trump's remarks.

"I vehemently disagree with President Trump’s comments. America must stand up to Iran and defend our interests, but the first responsibility of our Commander in Chief is to protect the American people and our homeland," he wrote on X. "No American city is expendable, and no American family should ever be treated as collateral damage."

Los Angeles and San Diego rank as the largest and second-largest cities in California by population, respectively, and LA ranks as the second-most populous city in the US, trailing only New York City.

(With input from agencies)