White House defends Trump comment to let Iran 'take out' LA and San Diego
The article's core claims are well-supported by multiple news sources. Trump's remarks about Iran taking out Los Angeles and San Diego are confirmed by video and reporting. Newsom's 'deranged and dangerous' condemnation and Bass's statement about encouraging attacks are directly quoted. Cheung's clarification is also documented. Geographic facts about San Diego and Los Angeles are supported by official and reference sources. No claims are contradicted.
Claim by claim
Well supported Donald Trump said at a Nebraska campaign rally that Iran could 'take out' Los Angeles and San Diego.
Multiple news outlets and video evidence confirm Trump said at a Nebraska rally that Iran could 'take out' Los Angeles and San Diego.
Confidence 99%
- youtube.com: Trump suggests letting Iran take out San Diego, Los Angeles ...
- kcra.com: Trump: Iran could 'take out' Los Angeles or San Diego
- reuters.com: Californians blast Trump remark that Iran could 'take out' ...
- youtube.com: Trump suggests Iran can "take out" cities in California during ...
- pbs.org: Trump draws cheers, then criticism for musing about Iran ...
Well supported California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned Trump's comment as 'deranged and dangerous'.
Reuters, The Guardian, and other sources quote Newsom calling Trump 'deranged and dangerous' in response to the comments.
Confidence 99%
- reuters.com: Californians blast Trump remark that Iran could 'take out' ...
- theguardian.com: Trump suggests Iran could 'take out' Los Angeles or San ...
- youtube.com: Newsom Calls Trump “Deranged” After Iran Threat Sparks ...
- nbcnews.com: California officials condemn Trump for saying Iran could ' ...
- thehill.com: Newsom rips Trump for saying Iran can 'take out' LA and ...
Well supported Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass described Trump's remarks as threats and an attempt to 'encourage attacks on American lives'.
NBC Los Angeles and The Guardian quote Bass saying the president's role is not to 'encourage attacks on American lives'.
Confidence 99%
Well supported White House Communications Director Stephen Cheung said Trump was clearly stating US cities would have been threatened if a nuclear Iran hadn't been stopped.
Multiple sources, including KCRA and LAist, quote Cheung saying Trump was clearly stating US cities would have been threatened if a nuclear Iran hadn't been stopped.
Confidence 99%
- kcra.com: Trump: Iran could 'take out' Los Angeles or San Diego
- laist.com: White House aide: Trump did not call for attacks on US ...
- reuters.com: Californians blast Trump remark that Iran could 'take out' ...
- huffpost.com: White House Aide Insists Trump Did Not Call For Attacks ...
- theguardian.com: republican trump iran los angeles san diego
Supported San Diego is located 17 miles (27km) from the border with Mexico and is the eighth largest city in the US.
Wikipedia confirms San Diego is the eighth-most populous US city. A travel site states the border is 17 miles from downtown, matching the claim.
Confidence 90%
Supported Los Angeles is approximately 120 miles (193 KM) north of San Diego and is the second most populous city in the US.
Britannica lists Los Angeles as the second largest US city. The distance of 120 miles is not directly evidenced but is plausible and not contradicted.
Confidence 80%