Skip to content

PoliticsDeveloping

Trump’s rally remark about Iran ‘taking out’ LA, San Diego sparks dispute over meaning

By

Coverage spectrum

Covered by 23 outlets across the spectrum.

51 articles in total, 7 of them opinion. The spectrum counts each outlet once and leaves opinion out. How we measure bias

At a Monday rally in Nebraska for Sen. Pete Ricketts, President Trump discussed rising gas prices tied to the Iran war, saying it was “a small price to pay” before adding, “They can take out a city. Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego.” Democrats and California officials, including Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles and San Diego’s mayors, condemned the remarks as suggesting Trump would accept Iran destroying the cities. The White House, including Communications Director Steven Cheung, said Trump meant the war would prevent Iran from ever gaining the ability to attack U.S. cities with nuclear weapons, calling media coverage inaccurate. Fact-checkers at CNN and FactCheck.org said the “take out a city” line was ambiguous but found the White House’s explanation plausible given context and Trump’s past remarks.

Headline and summary written by Mantle’s AI from the coverage below, under published rules. How this works

What happened

Key points

Each point shows who reports it, from Far Left to Far Right.

  1. Trump made the remarks Monday night at a campaign rally in Nebraska for Sen. Pete Ricketts.

    Reported byLeftCenterRight

  2. Trump said rising gas/war costs were “a small price to pay” before saying “They can take out a city. Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego.”

    Reported byLeftCenterRight

  3. Democrats, including Gov. Gavin Newsom and the mayors of LA and San Diego, condemned the remarks as dangerous or deranged.

    Reported byLeftRight

  4. The White House, through Steven Cheung and other officials, said Trump meant the U.S. war was preventing Iran from gaining the ability to attack American cities with nuclear weapons.

    Reported byLeftCenterRight

  5. CNN fact-checker Daniel Dale and FactCheck.org said the remarks were ambiguous but that the White House’s interpretation was plausible given context and Trump’s prior statements.

    Reported byLeftCenter

  6. Major outlets including the New York Times, Axios and the LA Times ran headlines describing Trump as suggesting Iran could ‘take out’ the cities, which the White House called a misrepresentation.

    Reported byLeftCenterRight

What is contested

Where accounts differ

Points the coverage does not agree on, and who says what.

  • What Trump meant by saying Iran could 'take out' Los Angeles and San Diego

    Democrats and some media outlets (New York Times, Axios, LA Times, Daily Beast) suggested Trump was casually accepting or inviting destruction of the cities; the White House and several right-leaning outlets (Townhall, RedState, New York Post) said he meant the war was preventing Iran from gaining that capability; center outlets (FactCheck.org, Straight Arrow News) said the remark was ambiguous but leaned toward the White House's reading given context.

  • Whether media coverage of the remarks was accurate or a deliberate distortion

    Right-leaning outlets (Townhall, RedState, New York Post) called the coverage a smear or hoax; left-leaning outlets largely treated the coverage as a fair report of alarming comments; center outlets noted the ambiguity but didn't call the coverage dishonest.

How each side tells it

Compare views

  • the left

    13 outlets · 2 opinion

    Left outlets largely report the controversy and White House pushback straightforwardly, though some frame the remarks themselves as alarming or unhinged and emphasize bipartisan and celebrity outrage.

    Trump now says "we protect our cities" after saying Iran could bomb LA and San Diego
    CBS NewsLeftAll left-leaning headlines

  • the center

    3 outlets

    Center outlets focus on explaining the full context and bipartisan reaction without taking a side on Trump's intent.

    Trump doubles down on California comments: 'Let them hit San Diego, let them hit Los Angeles'
    The HillCenterAll center headlines

  • the right

    7 outlets · 1 opinion

    Right outlets, including opinion pieces, largely frame the controversy as a media or Democratic overreaction, emphasizing Trump's intended meaning about gas prices and nuclear deterrence, with some invoking 'Trump Derangement Syndrome' or comparing Democrats unfavorably to leftist commentators.

    Democrats Told a Lie So Big, Even CNN Debunked It
    TownhallFar RightAll right-leaning headlines

The words they chose

Language to notice

Words that carry a judgement beyond the facts. Tap a highlighted word anywhere on the page to see why.

  • Left8

    blasts media coverageincensedStunsambiguously suggested

  • Center3

    sparked a backlashfirestorm of criticismcollateral damage

  • Right9

    Fires BackThe mainstream media are abuzzderangedUsual Suspects

In the outlets’ own words

  • Sensational language

    sparked a backlashMore neutral: drew criticism

    Frames reaction in dramatic terms rather than neutrally describing criticism

    President Donald Trump sparked a backlash after apparently joking Monday that Iran could destroy L.A.

    Used byStraight Arrow News (Center)

  • Loaded verb

    blasts media coverageMore neutral: criticizes media coverage

    Loaded verb suggesting aggressive condemnation rather than neutral criticism

    White House blasts media coverage of Trump’s remark about Iran destroying LA and San Diego

    Used byThe Independent (Left)

  • Sensational language

    incensedMore neutral: critical

    Dramatizes the hosts' emotional state rather than reporting neutrally

    The hosts of The View are incensed over the president’s declaration that he’d be willing to let Iran destroy San Diego…

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    StunsMore neutral: draws criticism from

    Dramatizes the hosts' reaction beyond a neutral description

    Cities Stuns ‘The View’

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

Show 16 more phrasesShow fewer

  • Loaded modifier

    ambiguously suggestedMore neutral: said

    Characterizes Trump's statement in a way that presumes intent beyond what's established

    President Donald Trump ambiguously suggested during a political rally on Monday that Iran could “take out” San Diego or Los…

    Used byTruthout (Far Left)

  • Loaded verb

    Fires BackMore neutral: responds to

    Dramatizes the White House's response as combative rather than neutral

    White House Fires Back at Critics After Trump's Remark That Iran 'Can Take Out a City'

    Used byBreitbart News (Far Right)

  • Loaded modifier

    The mainstream media are abuzzMore neutral: Several media outlets reported

    Dismissive characterization of media coverage implying excessive reaction

    The mainstream media are abuzz this morning, with everyone from California Gov.

    Used byTownhall (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    derangedMore neutral: (omit) and quote the statement

    Diagnoses the speaker instead of quoting them.

    He is deranged and dangerous.

    Used byTownhall (Far Right)

  • Delegitimizing label

    Usual SuspectsMore neutral: media outlets and Democrats

    Dismissive label implying bad faith on the part of media and Democrats

    We reported earlier about how the Usual Suspects in the mainstream media and on the left are rushing to manufacture yet another…

    Used byRedState (Far Right)

  • Delegitimizing label

    manufacture yet another "very fine people" hoaxMore neutral: another controversy similar to past disputes over Trump's remarks

    Characterizes coverage as fabricated without establishing intent, dismissing it as a 'hoax'

    …Suspects in the mainstream media and on the left are rushing to manufacture yet another "very fine people" hoax against President Donald Trump after remarks he made during a…

    Used byRedState (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    Big HitMore neutral: new development

    Dramatizes developments in a sports-metaphor style that frames the story as a contest with a winning side

    New: The Dem/Media Narrative on Trump's San Diego, LA Remarks Just Took Another Big Hit

    Used byRedState (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    firestorm of criticismMore neutral: significant criticism

    Dramatizes the scale of reaction beyond a neutral description

    …that Iran could “take out” Los Angeles and San Diego have sparked a firestorm of criticism, with Democrats claiming the president was either calling for a foreign…

    Used byFactCheck.org (Center)

  • Euphemism

    collateral damageMore neutral: civilian casualties or civilians killed

    Military jargon that hides deaths.

    or portraying the destruction of two major cities as acceptable collateral damage.

    Used byFactCheck.org (Center)

  • Sensational language

    damning new lowMore neutral: strong new criticism

    Dramatic characterization of Democrats' reaction rather than neutral description

    California Democrats just hit a damning new low, bewailing how President Donald Trump supposedly invited Iran to nuke Los Angeles…

    Used byNew York Post (Right)

  • Partisan shorthand

    Trump Derangement SyndromeMore neutral: strong criticism of Trump

    Partisan term that dismisses critics' concerns as irrational rather than addressing them

    None of this is” — when in fact it’s an all too normal case of Trump Derangement Syndrome.

    Used byNew York Post (Right)

  • Partisan shorthand

    Trump DerangementMore neutral: Criticism of Trump

    Partisan term used to dismiss criticism of Trump as irrational

    Trump Derangement: No, he didn’t ask Iran to attack LA or San Diego

    Used byNew York Post (Right)

  • Sensational language

    unhingedMore neutral: (omit) and quote the statement

    Diagnoses the speaker instead of quoting them.

    …be entering a new era, in which political desperation at home leads to increasingly unhinged threats abroad Donald Trump was in Nebraska on Monday, and though his long rally…

    Used byThe Guardian (Left)

  • Loaded verb

    drew furyMore neutral: drew criticism from (name who)

    Outrage from whom? Name the critics and their number.

    The president drew fury when he suggested that Iran could launch a nuclear attack and “take out” Los Angeles…

    Used byThe Guardian (Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    alarmismMore neutral: climate scientists or advocates of emissions cuts

    Pre-judges the warning as exaggerated.

    California leaders reacted with scorn at Trump’s alarmism.

    Used byThe Guardian (Left)

  • Sensational language

    insaneMore neutral: (omit) and quote the statement

    Diagnoses the speaker instead of quoting them.

    Donald Trump’s insane threat to Californian cities has a bigger connotation, Seth Meyers suggests.

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

Words quoted from someone else (5)Hide the quoted words

Loaded words that outlets reported someone else saying. They show what was said, not how the outlet chose to say it.

  • Sensational language

    Quoted

    derangedMore neutral: (omit) and quote the statement

    Diagnoses the speaker instead of quoting them.

    Tuesday on ABC’s “The View,” co-host Sunny Hostin said President Donald Trump is “deranged,” so it might be time to consider removing him with the 25th Amendment.

    Quoted byBreitbart News (Far Right)The Daily Beast (Far Left)New York Post (Right)

    Inside a quotation: the outlets are reporting someone else’s words.

  • Sensational language

    Quoted

    unhingedMore neutral: (omit) and quote the statement

    Diagnoses the speaker instead of quoting them.

    “We cannot normalize the unhinged, deranged, manic, evil, outrageous behavior by the president of the United States.”…

    Quoted byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

    Inside a quotation: the outlets are reporting someone else’s words.

  • Loaded modifier

    Quoted

    unhinged, deranged, manic, evil, outrageousMore neutral: inappropriate behavior

    Strongly judgmental language about the president's behavior, quoted from a speaker

    “We cannot normalize the unhinged, deranged, manic, evil, outrageous behavior by the president of the United States.” Whoopi Goldberg…

    Quoted byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

    Inside a quotation: the outlets are reporting someone else’s words.

  • Loaded modifier

    Quoted

    DerangedMore neutral: controversial

    Pre-judges Trump's mental state rather than describing the remark factually, though attributed to a quote it's used prominently in headline

    Trump’s ‘Deranged’ Threat Against U.S.

    Quoted byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

    Inside a quotation: the outlets are reporting someone else’s words.

Show 1 more quoted phrasesShow fewer

  • Sensational language

    Quoted

    insaneMore neutral: (omit) and quote the statement

    Diagnoses the speaker instead of quoting them.

    …comments on Iran bombing Los Angeles and San Diego, Garcia said, “I mean, totally insane.

    Quoted byBreitbart News (Far Right)

    Inside a quotation: the outlets are reporting someone else’s words.

See the full language guide

See for yourself

Side by side

What each side leads with and what it leaves out. Open a side to read its headlines.

From the left

13 outlets · 2 opinion

Leads with

  • Trump's exact wording and context
  • bipartisan/celebrity condemnation
  • White House's defensive response

Leaves out

  • Fact-checkers' conclusion that the White House interpretation was plausible (only partially covered by HuffPost)

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 15 headlines from the leftHide the headlines

From the center

3 outlets

Leads with

  • full quote and context
  • bipartisan criticism
  • comparison to how other outlets framed it
See the 3 headlines from the centerHide the headlines
  • The HillCenter

    Trump doubles down on California comments: 'Let them hit San Diego, let them hit Los Angeles'

    President Trump doubled down on his comments suggesting Iran could hit Los Angeles and San Diego during a rally in Texas on Wednesday, adding that the U.S. would not let such a scenario play out. "You want to see trauma? You want to see problems? …

    Read at The Hill (opens in a new tab)
    1 more from The Hill
  • FactCheck.orgCenter

    The Context for Trump’s ‘Take Out’ Los Angeles, San Diego Remarks

    President Donald Trump’s remarks about the possibility that Iran could “take out” Los Angeles and San Diego have sparked a Sensational language“firestorm of criticism”Dramatizes the scale of reaction beyond a neutral descriptionMore neutral: significant criticismDisagree with this highlight?, with Democrats claiming the president was either calling for a foreign adversary to attack the U.S. …

    Read at FactCheck.org (opens in a new tab)
  • Straight Arrow NewsCenter

    Trump’s apparent joke about letting Iran bomb LA and San Diego catches bipartisan condemnation

    President Donald Trump Sensational language“sparked a backlash”Frames reaction in dramatic terms rather than neutrally describing criticismMore neutral: drew criticismDisagree with this highlight? after apparently joking Monday that Iran could destroy L.A. and San Diego.

    Read at Straight Arrow News (opens in a new tab)

From the right

7 outlets · 1 opinion

Leads with

  • White House's clarification
  • alleged media/Democratic distortion
  • contextual quote about gas prices

Leaves out

  • Fact-checkers' acknowledgment that the wording was ambiguous

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 8 headlines from the rightHide the headlines

Articles you open from here build My Mix, a private picture of how your reading spreads across the spectrum, kept on this device. What is My Mix?

The left is Far Left and Left together. The right is Right and Far Right together. Every outlet keeps its own five-point rating.

Who reported it when

How the coverage built up

  • Left

    First to report

    HuffPost, Oct 6, 12:53 PM EDT

  • Center

    53 min later

    Its first report, Oct 6, 1:47 PM EDT

  • Right

    1 hr 16 min later

    Its first report, Oct 6, 2:09 PM EDT

See the order the outlets reported inHide the order
  1. HuffPostFar LeftOct 6, 12:53 PM EDT
  2. Straight Arrow NewsCenterOct 6, 1:47 PM EDT
  3. Breitbart NewsFar RightOct 6, 2:09 PM EDT
  4. The IndependentLeftOct 6, 2:22 PM EDT
  5. The Daily BeastFar LeftOct 6, 2:24 PM EDT
  6. The New York TimesLeftOct 6, 2:48 PM EDT
  7. TruthoutFar LeftOct 6, 3:00 PM EDT
  8. CBS NewsLeftOct 6, 5:00 PM EDT
  9. Business InsiderLeftOct 6, 5:25 PM EDT
  10. SalonFar LeftOct 6, 6:04 PM EDT
  11. FactCheck.orgCenterOct 6, 6:33 PM EDT
  12. Washington ExaminerRightOct 6, 6:36 PM EDT
  13. Hot AirFar RightOct 6, 8:00 PM EDT
  14. Al Jazeera EnglishLeftOct 6, 9:07 PM EDT
  15. The HillCenterOct 7, 10:32 AM EDT
  16. Fox NewsFar RightOct 7, 10:35 AM EDT
  17. The Washington TimesRightOct 7, 12:28 PM EDT
  18. The Washington PostLeftOct 7, 2:55 PM EDT
  19. RedStateFar RightOct 7, 6:56 PM EDT
  20. Los Angeles TimesLeftOct 7, 9:30 PM EDT
  21. NBC NewsLeftOct 7, 10:08 PM EDT
  22. The New RepublicFar LeftOct 8, 9:42 AM EDT
  23. TownhallFar RightOct 8, 11:15 AM EDT

Times are the ones the outlets published in their own feeds, in Eastern time. Opinion is left out.

Read next

Help someone else find the truth beneath the surface

Most people see one side of a story. Share this one, so they can see how every side is telling it and decide for themselves.

Email it

Seen a mistake? Tell us what is wrong with this page