President Donald Trump’s trollish remarks at a Nebraska rally Monday night aren’t sitting too well with California leaders.
During a rally meant to promote Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts, the president suggested that higher prices resulting from war with Iran are worth it for the country’s safety.
“It’s a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe,” he said.
Then Trump added: “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.”
White House staffers later said that the president meant he wanted to prevent Tehran from attacking the U.S., though it sure sounded like he didn’t care about San Diego or LA.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) called Trump’s comments “disgusting and disqualifying” on X, while his press office tweeted, “This is not normal. None of this is.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also commented on two separate accounts.
On her official mayoral account, she said, “The role of a president is to protect the country, not to actively threaten it and encourage attacks on American lives.”
She was more blunt on her personal account, saying, “Keep LA out of your damn mouth.”
San Diego leaders and representatives also spoke out.
Both of California’s Democratic U.S. senators blasted Trump’s message.
But Republicans were conspicuously silent. GOP gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton did not immediately respond to a request for comment from HuffPost.
However, at least one GOP politician in California wasn’t happy with Trump’s remarks.
Jim Desmond, who is running to represent the 48th Congressional District, posted that he “vehemently” disagrees with the president’s comments and added, “No American city is expendable, and no American family should ever be treated as collateral damage.”