The White House went on the defensive Tuesday over confusing comments President Trump made about the war with Iran and high gas prices. Speaking at a rally in Grand Island, Neb., Mr. Trump said, "let them take out Los Angeles; let them take out San Diego," and the moment went viral.
Critics, both Democrats and Republicans, interpreted the remarks as inviting Iran to attack U.S. cities. White House communications director Steven Cheung responded, "The media freakout over President Trump's comments is not rooted in reality. He was clearly stating U.S. cities would have been threatened if a nuclear Iran hadn't been stopped."
Gov. Gavin Newsom of California and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemned the comments. Mayor Bass said she was "just shocked" and called for an apology. Jim Desmond, a Trump-endorsed Republican, wrote that "No American city is expendable."
Mr. Trump has a history of rambling remarks and has defended his style as "the weave." The administration insists the president was misunderstood.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing