Former President Donald Trump publicly criticized media coverage of his recent comments involving Iran and the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego. The controversy stemmed from statements in which Trump suggested that Iran could potentially target these California cities. Following widespread media interpretation that he was inviting or encouraging such an attack, Trump clarified his position on Thursday.

Trump asserted that his comments were taken out of context by the press. He explained that his intent was to draw a comparison related to gas prices, rather than to suggest or endorse any military aggression against the United States. According to Trump, the media misrepresented his words to imply he was welcoming a bombing, when he was actually discussing economic factors. The Hill reports that the former president characterized the media's framing as inaccurate and misleading, emphasizing that his goal was to highlight a specific comparison rather than make a threat or an invitation for violence.