Did Trump really say Iran could “take out” Los Angeles?

The president has started a war of words with California Governor Gavin Newsom after saying that Iran could “take out” Los Angeles and San Diego. Trump made the comments during his midterms campaign tour, telling the audience it would be “very small price to pay” in the war. Newsom has responded by calling the comments “deranged and dangerous”.

And Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has re-iterated his plans to remove “beirdos” and “weirdos” from the US military, in an ongoing campaign against DEI initiatives. In a speech to service members at a military base in Virginia he told them “the ideological clowns are out, the patriotic cowboys are in”.

Anthony and Sumi discuss Hegseth’s idea of masculinity in the army, why he is calling for routine testosterone screening of soldiers, and where calls for his impeachment over his handling of the war with Iran stand.

HOSTS:

• Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent

• Sumi Somaskanda, BBC Chief Presenter

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This episode was made by George Dabby with Alix Pickles. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.