At a campaign rally on October 5, 2026, President Trump said that letting Iran take out Los Angeles and San Diego would be a small price to pay for keeping the country safe. Governor Gavin Newsom called him deranged and dangerous and has since called for the 25th Amendment, while White House communications director Stephen Chung pushed back on X. San Diego's mayor said his city is not collateral damage. There is no public evidence Iran could strike either city, and the discussion remains split on whether the remarks were a joke or a genuine threat.