David Urban, a former adviser to President Trump, publicly distanced himself from the president's recent rhetoric regarding Iran's potential nuclear capabilities. During an interview on CNN with Anderson Cooper, Urban described the president's comments—which suggested that Los Angeles and San Diego could be targets for an Iranian nuclear strike—as "clumsy" and "sloppy."

Urban suggested that the president was likely speaking extemporaneously, or "riffing," when he made the remarks. The comments were part of a broader discussion regarding the administration's stance on Iran's nuclear program and the potential security implications for the United States. While Urban did not dispute the underlying concern regarding Iran's nuclear ambitions, he made it clear that he disagreed with the specific way the president chose to communicate the threat to the public. The interview highlights a recurring tension between the president's informal communication style and the preferences of some of his former political allies who advocate for more measured, traditional diplomatic language. The administration has not yet issued a formal clarification regarding the specific geographic references made by the president.