Jack White criticises Trump over Los Angeles and San Diego remarks
Jack White has criticised Donald Trump after Trump said Iran could "take out" Los Angeles and San Diego, in an Instagram post shared on Tuesday, 6 October. White addressed the message to Republicans and conservatives living in the two California cities. Billboard
Trump made the remarks on Monday night, 5 October, during a campaign rally in Grand Island, Nebraska. Speaking about economic consequences, he said they were "a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe". He then added: "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."
The crowd could be heard cheering after the remarks. White told his followers to watch a reposted video of the moment and listen to people clapping and cheering.
In his post, White asked: "how do you feel about your Fuhrer recommending that the cities you live in get attacked?" He wrote that a United States President had "recommended that two major cities in our country be bombed because they don't give total allegiance to his ego." He added that allegiance to "this corrupt felon is so laughable and ignorant."
He closed the post with the line: "I've said it before and I'll say it again: The Worst American of All Time", followed by the hashtag #TWAAT. That is blunt. The wording repeats a phrase he says he has used before about Trump.
White House communications director Steven Cheung said Trump was discussing the potential threat Iran could pose if it developed a nuclear weapon, rather than advocating an attack on American cities. The response frames the comments as a warning about Iran, not a call for American cities to be hit.
Trump followed the city remarks by saying the situation was "going to be over with very soon" and "essentially almost over with", according to a transcript review. FactCheck.org During the Nebraska speech, he described soaring costs as "a small price to pay" to ensure Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. Rolling Stone His suggestion that Iran could "take out" the two cities prompted criticism from California leaders. Rolling Stone
For anyone catching up, the clash centres on what Trump meant and how it sounded. White focused on how the words would land for people living in the named cities. The White House focused on the wider point about Iran and nuclear weapons.
