Dems latest Trump attack backfires as frequent critics refuse to play along

Some of President Donald Trumps most frequent media critics are turning on Democrats latest attack on the president, rejecting claims that Trump suggested Iran should "take out" Los Angeles and San Diego.

"Trump's point here is that if he didn't start a war with Iran, then San Diego and LA would be at risk from nuclear war," wrote The Atlantic writer Michael Scherer on X.

Trump was discussing the war with Iran and the threat of Tehran obtaining a nuclear weapon during a Nebraska rally on Monday before invoking Los Angeles and San Diego.

"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," Trump said.

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The remarks quickly triggered a fight over what Trump meant, with Democrats and multiple media outlets characterizing them as a suggestion that Iran be allowed to attack the two California cities.

One of the accounts amplifying the clip, Headquarters (@HQNewsNow), previously operated as "KamalaHQ" after originally serving as the Biden campaigns "BidenHQ" rapid-response account.

Several prominent journalists who have frequently scrutinized Trump are pushing back on Democrats latest attack on the president, rejecting claims that Trump suggested Iran should "take out" Los Angeles and San Diego.

"This isnt a direct quote from Trump, and I very much dont think its a correct paraphrase. Trump has repeatedly argued that the consequences of the war, like higher gas prices, are a small price to pay compared to what an unchecked Iran could allegedly do," CNN fact-checker Daniel Dale said.

"My read: The 'small price to pay' comment refers back to the costs of the war -- like gas prices -- not to the idea of Iran nuking LA and SD," wrote CNN senior reporter Aaron Blake.

"Unpopular opinion: I dont think Trump was suggesting letting Iran to attack blue cities. I think he meant if Iran gets a nuke, LA and San Diego could be targets considering theyre two major West Coast cities," wrote former Trump staffer turned Biden voter Sarah Matthews.

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Democrats quickly seized on clips and quotes from Trumps rally, claiming he was suggesting Iran should be allowed to attack two California cities.

"After sending the National Guard and Marines to occupy California, Donald Trump is now saying our foreign enemies should take out Los Angeles and San Diego. He is deranged and dangerous," said California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

"Thirteen million Californians call LA and San Diego counties home. Their lives are not a small price to pay or a punchline for Donald Trump," said California gubernatorial candidate Xavi