Jack White condemns Trump over 'take out' Los Angeles and San Diego remarks
Jack White has condemned Donald Trump after Trump told a rally crowd in Nebraska to let Iran “take out” Los Angeles and San Diego.
White published a social media post on Tuesday 6 October responding to the remarks, which Trump made at a Monday night rally. In the post, White called Trump “The Worst American of All Time”, according to Rolling Stone.
Trump’s exact words at the rally were: “Let ‘em take out Los Angeles, let ‘em take out San Diego,” reported by The Detroit News. He was discussing Iran and its nuclear programme. Trump also told the crowd that soaring costs were “a small price to pay” to ensure Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon.
The crowd cheered. The criticism followed quickly.
California officials condemned the comments. Governor Gavin Newsom said Trump had said foreign enemies should “take out” the two cities and called Trump “deranged and dangerous”. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement that the comment “could potentially compromise our safety,” according to Reuters.
Bass also described the remarks as threats and an attempt to “encourage attacks on American lives,” the BBC reported. Other state leaders criticised Trump as “reckless” for suggesting that two major American cities could be left to an attack, according to The Guardian.
Trump’s Rapid Response account on X responded on the morning after the rally. It said Trump meant the United States is fighting to stop Iran from gaining the ability to strike Los Angeles and San Diego with a nuclear weapon.
What makes this stand out is the messenger. White is speaking as a musician responding to a presidential remark about two cities with large music communities, not as an office holder. His post added an entertainment voice to a political row already involving the governor and the mayor of Los Angeles.
