Donald Trump blames Governor Gavin Newsom for California forest fires
US: In reaction to the continuing wildfires that are destroying Los Angeles, where five people have been reported dead as of Thursday morning, President-elect Donald Trump has called on California Governor Gavin Newsom, whom he nicknamed “Newscum,” to step down.
“This is all his fault!!!” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social website, addressing the governor.
On Thursday, outside of normal business hours, Newsweek emailed Trump’s presidential transition team and called Governor Newsom’s office for a response via an online inquiry form and phone.
The Significance of It
Trump’s collaboration with America’s governors might have a significant influence on policy as he approaches his second inauguration as president on January 20.
Newsom is a top target for Republicans since he has already been predicted to be a Democratic candidate for president in 2028.
Things You Should Know
“One of the best and most beautiful parts of the United States of America is burning down to the ground,” Trump said in a late-Wednesday post on his Truth Social website. Gavin Newsom needs to step down since it’s all ashes. He is entirely to blame for this.
On Wednesday, Trump wrote: “Governor Gavin Newsom refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snowmelt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way.”
Trump said that by restricting water flow to safeguard the life of the delta smelt, a tiny fish designated under the Endangered Species Act, Newsom had been giving it priority over locals.
Izzy Gardon, Newsom’s director of communications, responded to Newsweek by saying, “The water restoration statement is a work of pure fabrication. Making sure firefighters have all the resources they need and safeguarding people are the governor’s top priorities.
In an interview with CNN on Wednesday, Newsom responded to Trump’s comments by stating, “People are really running away. Children have lost their schooling, and others have died. Churches were burnt and destroyed, families were ripped apart, and this person wants to make it a political issue. I know what I want to say and I have a lot of ideas, but I won’t.
The Lidia Fire in Acton was one of five major infernos that firefighters were battling near Los Angeles as of 3:30 a.m. ET (12:30 PT), according to a map created by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE).
The Sunset Fire engulfed 42.8 acres in the Hollywood Hills close to Beavery Hill, the Eaton Fire raged over 10,600 acres north of Pasadena, and the Palisades Fire had engulfed 17,234 acres west of Santa Monica. In the vicinity of San Fernando, the Hurst Fire raged over 855 acres.
An area bordered by Hollywood Boulevard on the south, Mulholland Drive on the north, the 101 Freeway on the east, and Runyon Canyon on the west was ordered to evacuate by the Los Angeles Fire Department late on Wednesday. The Sunset Fire, which started in the famous Hollywood Hills, prompted this action.
Officials told CNN that they anticipate the number of verified deaths from the wildfires in the Los Angeles area to increase since more individuals are still missing.
What Individuals Are Saying
With more than 92,000 followers on X (previously Twitter), conservative pundit Hannah Cox said on the platform: “I really hope this is the final nail in Gavin Newsom’s loathsome career.”
Suhail Doshi, the creator of Playground AI, said, “Gavin Newsom should be removed from office. In many ways, he has let our state down. Enough is enough.
“He has let us down in areas like prostitution, narcotics, homelessness, housing, debt, expediency on vital infrastructure, entrepreneurship, and now defending us from these flames. We have been seeing fires for years, so this is not a surprise.
“If Gavin Newsom is responsible for the fires in California, then Ron DeSantis is responsible for Hurricane Helene, along with the treasonous North Carolina GOP,” the well-known ‘USMCLiberal’ X account, which has more than 51,000 followers, said.
On Wednesday, President Joe Biden said that he had granted Governor Newsom’s request for a major disaster designation in response to the wildfires in Los Angeles, allowing federal funds to be used for rescue operations and victim assistance.
As Republicans seize control of the House and the president this month, they are certain to keep accusing Newsom of being responsible for the catastrophe.
