Staff Reports
The state of California is in a blaze, and so are the eyebrows of President-elect Donald Trump, who has called for Governor Gavin Newsom to step down in the wake of the unprecedented wildfires ravaging the southern part of the state. In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump put the blame for the fiery mess squarely on Newsom’s shoulders, labeling him as “Gavin Newscum” and declaring that one of the most beautiful regions in the U.S. is turning into a heap of ashes. Seems the only thing burning hotter than those wildfires is Trump’s ire.
In a follow-up tirade, Trump pointed his finger at Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, expressing disbelief at the situation. He noted that three days of unchecked flames meant zero containment, which would leave even the most incompetent firefighter scratching their head. The former president emphasized that the problem lies not only with local leadership but also with the Biden administration’s FEMA, claiming the agency has wasted funding on the so-called “Green New Scam,” leaving Californians to fend for themselves as the city suffers a “total wipeout.” If anyone has mastered the art of turning a crisis into a roast, it’s Trump.
While Newsom’s office attempts to spin the narrative, the governor insists he’s focused on helping people rather than engaging in political maneuvers. Newsom’s spokesman proclaimed that the governor’s priority is ensuring firefighters have the necessary resources. But with five raging fires putting lives at risk and displacing around 180,000 residents, the question remains: is Newsom actually leading or simply trying to ride out the disaster like a surfer on a tumultuous wave?
Trump says California Gov. Gavin Newsom should resign for ‘incompetence’ on wildfireshttps://t.co/EgXvQwabtA pic.twitter.com/uASeNlsQSm
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) January 9, 2025
Trump’s accusations didn’t stop there; he pointed out that Newsom apparently refused to sign a water restoration declaration that could have channeled much-needed resources to combat the flames. The ex-president emphasized that saving a less-than-valuable fish, the smelt, was prioritized over ensuring residents had clean water available to combat the fire threat. It seems Newsom’s environmental zeal might have achieved an unintended consequence: a human cost that his critics argue is too high.
On the other side of the political aisle, Newsom is busy casting Trump as a political opportunist looking to gain from the devastation. According to him, the misfortunes faced by families and communities shouldn’t be used as fodder for political gain. However, as the fires rage on and displacement numbers rise, Californians could be forgiven for wondering if the real disaster here is the leadership — or lack thereof — that has been on display from Sacramento to the nation’s capital.
