US President-elect Donald Trump has launched a scathing attack on California Governor Gavin Newsom, blaming him for the ongoing wildfires that have wreaked havoc across the state.
In a post on his Truth Social account, Trump accused Newsom of failing to manage the situation, alleging that the governor prioritized protecting a “worthless fish” over the lives and homes of Californians.
Trump criticized Newsom for not signing a water restoration declaration that would have allowed millions of gallons of water from excess rain and snow melt to flow into areas currently burning. “He wanted to protect an essentially worthless fish called a smelt, by giving it less water (it didn’t work!), but didn’t care about the people of California,” Trump said. “Now the ultimate price is being paid.”
His comments came after fire hydrants across Los Angeles County ran dry during the overnight firefighting efforts, leaving emergency responders struggling to contain the flames. Officials from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works explained that the demand on the municipal water system was far beyond what it could handle in this emergency.
Trump’s frustration stems from the severe impact of the wildfires, which have burned thousands of acres, destroyed homes, and forced tens of thousands of residents to evacuate. Many areas, including Malibu and Los Angeles, have been hit hard, with water shortages making it even more difficult for firefighters to battle the blazes.
The wildfires, which started on Tuesday, have now killed two people and destroyed more than 1,000 structures. Winds exceeding 100 miles per hour have helped spread the fire, causing new fronts to ignite. In the Los Angeles area, luxury homes and beachside properties have been reduced to ashes, while residents flee the advancing flames.
Governor Newsom has been actively responding to the crisis, posting updates on X and deploying first responders across the state. He urged residents to stay calm as firefighters work tirelessly to contain the flames.
Meanwhile, Trump’s son, Don Jr, also took to X to allege that the LA Fire Department had sent supplies to Ukraine. “Oh look, of course the LA fire department donated a bunch of their supplies to Ukraine,” Don Jr. wrote.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk chimed in, calling the situation “crazy.” He responded to a post that mentioned Californians voting in 2014 to spend billions on water storage and reservoirs, yet Newsom had failed to build them, leaving the state ill-prepared to handle the wildfires. This has resulted in a dire shortage of water for fire hydrants, hampering firefighting efforts.
The wildfires have prompted evacuation warnings in several high-profile areas, including Vice President Kamala Harris’s residence in Los Angeles. Many hollywood celebrities have also been forced to flee their homes as the flames approach.
