Trump Signs Diesel Order, Draws Backlash Over ‘Take Out Los Angeles’ Remark

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President Donald Trump holds up a pen and a signed executive order at a campaign rally at the Pinnacle Bank Expo Center, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, in Grand Island, Neb. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
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(AURN News) — President Donald Trump took his midterm tour to Grand Island, Nebraska, Monday night, returning to a state he won by about 20 percentage points in 2024 but where Republicans are now defending competitive races.

He signed an executive order allowing broader use of tax-free red-dyed diesel, fuel normally reserved for farm equipment and other off-road vehicles. The order runs through the end of the year.

The national average price for diesel topped $6 a gallon in September for the first time on record, driven largely by oil supply disruptions from the war with Iran. Trump said the typical trucker will save more than $100 each time they fill up.

But the catch is that if truckers start buying more red-dyed diesel, increased demand could drive up costs for farmers during harvest.

One line from the speech is drawing more attention: Trump called higher prices from the war “a small price to pay,” then, referring to Iran, said, “They can take out a city. Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., called Trump “deranged and dangerous” in response to the remarks.


Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @ebonymcmorris & @aurnonline.

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