Trump at Grand Island, Nebraska rally (Oct. 5, 2026): Iran 'take out Los Angeles... San Diego' a 'very small price to pay'

Case

At an Oct. 5, 2026 midterm campaign rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, Trump defended the Iran war's economic costs as 'a small price to pay for keeping the world safe' and then said, '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.' The crowd cheered; California officials, including both cities' mayors, condemned the remark.

What was said (Oct. 5, 2026)
Speaking at a pre-midterm campaign event in Grand Island, Nebraska on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, Trump discussed the Iran war and its economic impact, saying 'It's a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe.'
He then said: '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 remark drew applause and cheering from some in the crowd.
A Courier Newsroom Instagram post circulated the clip under the caption 'Trump says Iran bombing Los Angeles, San Diego would be a very small price to pay'; an attached community note called the quote substantially accurate.

Reaction
California Gov. Gavin Newsom called Trump 'deranged and dangerous'; Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said a president's role is to protect the country, not to threaten it.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria wrote: 'San Diego is not collateral damage. We are not expendable. And we are never a "small price to pay." Keep our city out of your reckless war talk.'
San Diego elected officials from both parties condemned the remarks. The city has more than 1.37 million people and the county has seven military installations; Los Angeles has an estimated 3.8 million people.

Perspectives

Critic — Gov. Gavin Newsom, Mayor Karen Bass, Mayor Todd Gloria
Newsom: 'He is deranged and dangerous.' Bass: the president's role is to protect the country, not threaten it. Gloria: 'San Diego is not collateral damage... Keep our city out of your reckless war talk.' Coverage frames Trump as having appeared to suggest Iran should be allowed to attack the two cities.

Note
Trump's meaning is contested; coverage describes him as 'appearing to suggest' Iran could attack the cities, and no White House clarification was found.

Sources
[1] ABC7 Los Angeles: President Trump suggests letting Iran 'take out' Los Angeles and San Diego at campaign event in Nebraska (https://abc7.com/story/trump-suggests-iran-take-los-angeles-san-diego-campaign-event-nebraska/19912174/) · 2026-10-05
[2] FOX 5 San Diego: 'Let 'em take out San Diego': local leaders condemn Trump rally remarks (https://fox5sandiego.com/news/politics/sd-officials-condemn-trump-comments/) · 2026-10-05
[3] TheWrap: Gavin Newsom, Jim Acosta and More Torch Trump After He Dares Iran to 'Take Out' Los Angeles or San Diego in Rally Speech (https://www.thewrap.com/media-platforms/politics/trump-iran-take-out-los-angeles-san-diego-comment-social-media-reactions/) · 2026-10-05
[4] The Mary Sue: Trump says Iran could 'take out' Los Angeles and San Diego. Their mayors remind him his job is to protect them (https://themarysue.com/trump-iran-los-angeles-san-diego) · 2026-10-06
[5] The New Voice of Ukraine: Trump suggests allowing Iran to 'take out' Los Angeles and San Diego (https://english.nv.ua/nation/trump-says-letting-iran-take-out-los-angeles-san-diego-a-small-price-to-pay-50647493.html) · 2026-10-05
[6] Outlook India: Trump Says Iran Could 'Take Out' LA, San Diego, Calls It 'Small Price' (https://www.outlookindia.com/international/trump-iran-war-us-midterm-elections-suggests-take-out-los-angeles-san-diego-campaign-rally) · 2026-10-06
[7] Courier Newsroom (Instagram) post with community note · 2026-10-06

Connections

Related — Hegseth's Pentagon undercounting/concealing US casualties in the Iran war
Same war; the rally remark about costs and the Pentagon's casualty reporting both concern what the Iran war costs Americans.

Same context — Iran war oil shock: record oil profits, higher prices for everyone else
Trump made the remark while defending the Iran war's economic costs and rising prices.