Thursday Edition No. 068 · October 8, 2026
Trump's Iran Remark on Los Angeles Draws Opposite Readings
At a Nebraska rally, Trump said of Iran, "Let them take out Los Angeles." Democrats heard an invitation to attack two cities. The White House said he meant the opposite.
The Gap
The right cast the uproar as a Democratic attack, and the White House said Trump was clearly stating a nuclear Iran's threat. FactCheck.org called his wording confusing. The left read the words as an invitation to attack. FactCheck.org found the more plausible meaning was that the war would keep Iran from posing a threat to U.S. cities.
What the left said
The New Republic headlined that Trump suggested letting Iran take out Los Angeles and San Diego, and dismissed the gas-price reading. (The New Republic, October 6)
“The President of the United States suggested that a foreign government attack Los Angeles.”
“This is such a sick, evil thing to say. Especially because he's not saying this as a joke.”
What the right said
Fox News framed the uproar as a Democratic attack that backfired, and led with Trump critics in the press who rejected the Democrats' reading. (Fox News, October 7)
“This isn't a direct quote from Trump, and I very much don't think it's a correct paraphrase.”
“No, he didn't, you buffoons.”
The Record
At a rally in Nebraska on October 5, President Trump discussed gas prices and the Iran war. "It's a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe. They could take out a city," he said. "Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego." The White House said he meant the war keeps Iran from threatening U.S. cities. At a San Antonio rally on October 7, he repeated "let them hit," then said, "We're not letting that happen."
Sources: Sources: FactCheck.org (October 6, updated October 8); The New Republic (October 6); Fox News (October 7); FOX 32 Chicago (October 8).
Mamdani's October 7 Statement Accuses Israel of Genocide
On the third anniversary of the Hamas attack, New York's mayor mourned the dead and accused Israel of genocide. Critics in both parties condemned it. He stood by it.
The Gap
Fox called the statement anti-Israel, and Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said it repeated Hamas talking points. The statement itself called October 7 "horrific war crimes" by Hamas. Common Dreams wrote "genocide" as settled fact in its headline. That is a contested charge, and some of the sharpest criticism came from Mamdani's fellow Democrats.
What the left said
Common Dreams headlined Mamdani's defense and, in its own voice, called what followed October 7 a genocide. (Common Dreams, October 8)
“I believe that there must be room to mourn every single life.”
“There must be room to mourn the 74,000 Palestinians that the Israeli government has killed since.”
What the right said
Fox News called it an anti-Israel statement in its own headline and reported that Schumer and Jeffries dodged the controversy. (Fox News, October 8)
“Disgusting and shameful to use October 7th as an excuse to repeat Hamas' talking points.”
“outrageous & disgusting rant”
The Record
On October 7, the third anniversary of the Hamas attack, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani issued a statement. It said Hamas killed more than 1,100 Israelis and abducted 251 others. It then accused the Israeli government of "devastating, ongoing genocide in Gaza" and cited more than 74,000 Palestinians killed. Israel has called the ICC's war crimes allegations against Netanyahu "absurd and false." Democrats and Republicans criticized the mayor's statement. On October 8 Mamdani declined to walk the statement back.
Sources: Sources: NYC Mayor's Office (October 7); Mediaite (October 7); CBS News (October 8); Fox News (October 8); Common Dreams (October 8).