Trump-backed Ken Paxton reportedly blames Iran war and high gas prices for midterms struggles as president heads to Texas – live

CNN and the BBC report that President Donald Trump set off a political storm at a midterms rally in Nebraska on Monday night by saying Iran could "take out" Los Angeles and San Diego. The remarks drew sharp condemnation, and the two outlets differ on what he meant, according to The Guardian.

The BBC says California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the comments as dangerous, and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called them threats. The White House countered that Trump meant Iran would have endangered American cities had he not started a war there earlier this year. The BBC notes that both cities host major military installations.

CNN argues the president was muddled rather than malicious: he had just been discussing the cost of the conflict, apparently gas prices, and had made a similar point about Mobile, Alabama, days earlier. CNN adds that Senators Bernie Sanders and Chris Murphy and Republican congressional candidate Jim Desmond all objected, and that some in the crowd cheered.

Summarized by PolitiKool from The Guardian, CNN and BBC’s reporting. Read the full story at The Guardian → Also at CNN → Also at BBC →