Staff Reports
Wildfires in Los Angeles County are wreaking havoc, leaving residents frantically seeking refuge while the flames rage on. As nature wreaks its destruction, a video featuring former President Donald Trump has resurfaced, and it’s creating quite a stir as it shines a spotlight on California’s woeful fire management. Taken from a Joe Rogan podcast just three months ago, Trump’s sharp critique of the state’s environmental policies and neglect of forest upkeep has never seemed more relevant as multiple wildfires burn with little hope of containment.
In his podcast appearance, Trump dissected California’s failure to construct necessary water reservoirs and manage its forests, which he claims are pivotal in deterring devastating wildfires. In a classic Trump fashion, he pointed out the irony of California complaining about water shortages while ignoring the ample supply that flows from the north, instead allowing precious water to head straight into the Pacific Ocean just to save a little fish called the delta smelt. It’s almost as if the state prioritizes aquatic fauna over human lives—an astounding choice to the casual observer.
The current wildfire disaster is hitting communities hard, with over 30,000 residents forced to evacuate and 200,000 folks left in the dark. The relentless Santa Ana winds aren’t doing anyone any favors, with firefighters struggling to contain the chaos. Governor Gavin Newsom moved quickly to declare a state of emergency, but critics, including the former president, are pointing fingers at his administration’s lackluster planning as a key contributor to the disaster. Something smells fishy, and it’s not just the delta smelt.
Newsom never listens. https://t.co/ObgIVfUVXm
— Jenna Ellis 🐊 (@realJennaEllis) January 8, 2025
On Truth Social, the former president didn’t mince words when calling out Newsom for his mismanagement of the water crisis. He highlighted the governor’s refusal to sign a water restoration declaration that could have helped redirect millions of gallons of water to the areas engulfed in flames. The choice to protect an insignificant fish rather than the people of California was called into question, leading many to wonder if Newsom’s priorities are entirely askew.
The frequency of these wildfires and the disastrous handling of water resources in California can make one wonder if there’s a master plan where conservation efforts have overshadowed common sense. As Trump pointed out, allowing people to maintain their forests—like raking leaves and removing debris—could substantially decrease fire risks and the subsequent damage from such catastrophes. It’s astonishing how simple maintenance is often overlooked in favor of cumbersome regulations, and Californians are paying for it with their homes, their power, and potentially their lives.
