ASN NEWS USA — SPECIAL REPORT

GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA (ASN NEWS USA)— With one month to go before the midterm elections, President Donald Trump ignited a firestorm at a political rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, on Monday — telling supporters that Iran could “take out” a major American city like Los Angeles or San Diego, and suggesting it would be acceptable.

Trump made the remarks while discussing wartime economic sacrifices and rising fuel and fertilizer prices tied to energy disruptions. “It’s a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, for keeping our country safe. They could take out a city. Let ’em take out Los Angeles, let ’em take out San Diego,” he said. “This is a very small price to pay, and it’s going to be over with very soon.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who has emerged as one of Trump’s most prominent political foils, swiftly denounced the comments, calling the president “deranged and dangerous.” Newsom juxtaposed a video clip of the Nebraska remarks with Trump’s earlier rhetoric justifying the deployment of U.S. military troops to Los Angeles and other cities.

The exchange lands against a difficult national backdrop for Republicans: a Reuters/Ipsos poll completed Monday put Trump’s approval at 32 percent, a record low, with registered voters preferring Democrats 44 percent to 37 percent on the congressional ballot.

Stay tuned to ASN News USA for straight, unfiltered coverage of the 2026 midterms. Reported by ASN News USA. Visit asnnewsusa.com or follow @ASNNewsUSA for updates. ASN NEWS USA: Real News. Real Voices. Real Change.