Donald Trump criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom following allegations that the Democrat staged a “photo op” amidst the state’s devastating wildfires.
These comments from the president-elect came in response to a video shared by Governor Newsom, where he is seen inspecting the destruction caused by the wildfires that have engulfed the Los Angeles region.
Since the fires first broke out on Tuesday, January 7, in the Pacific Palisades area, at least two fatalities have been reported, with numerous others sustaining significant injuries.
In the video, Newsom, who has been linked with a run for the presidency as a Democrat, can be seen walking around with his hands in his pockets.
Newsom has been accused of neglecting forest management policies and defunding the fire service in California in the run-up to the blaze.
It comes as…
- Two people have died in four wildfires engulfing Los Angeles
- The out-of-control blazes continue to grow with 0% containment
- The cause of the fires remain a mystery
- The emergency forced 70,000 to flee their homes and schools have closed
- Firefighters are “maxed out” and reportedly running out of water
- Video from a plane shows the huge scale of the blaze
- Reality TV stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag lost their home to fire
- Harrowing footage shows residents trapped in their homes with huge flames feet away
Thousands have been forced to flee their homes including Hollywood celebrities as the flames tore through the hills north of Los Angeles.
Taking to his Truth Social app, Trump hit out at Newsom, branding him “Governor Gavin Newscum.”
In the lengthy post, he accused him of refusing to sign a “water restoration declaration” that he said “would have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snow melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way.”
Trump also accused Newsom of putting the protection of “an essentially worthless fish called a smelt” over that of the people of the Golden State.
“He is to blame for this,” he said, adding, “no water for fire hydrants, not firefighting planes. A true disaster!”
Trump’s tirade came shortly before Governor Newsom was joined by President Joe Biden for a press conference at the Santa Monica fire station.
During the presser, Biden revealed that he had become a great grandfather after his granddaughter Naomi Biden gave birth to her first child.
The outgoing president was slammed over his poor timing for making the announcement, with one X user writing, “Read the room, Joe.”
“Can someone remind Joe where he is and what’s going on in CA?” a second asked.
While a third referenced a countdown to the incoming Trump administration, writing simply, “12 more days.”
Trump later hit out at Biden, posting on TruthSocial, “No water in the fire hydrants, no money in FEMA. This is what Joe Biden is leaving me. Thanks Joe!”
Donald Trump’s statement on the California wildfires
President-elect Donald Trump shared a statement on Wednesday afternoon blaming Governor Gavin Newsom for the wildfires spreading in Southern California.
“Governor Gavin Newscum refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snow melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way,” Trump wrote.
“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.
“Now the ultimate price is being paid. I will demand that this incompetent governor allow beautiful, clean, fresh water to FLOW INTO CALIFORNIA! He is the blame for this.
“On top of it all, no water for fire hydrants, not firefighting planes. A true disaster!”
Source: Truth Social
Governor Newsom declared a state of emergency across the Pacific Palisades area following the spreading of the deadly fire.
But he has been accused by Californian media outlets of failing on his 2019 election promise to revamp the state’s wildfire strategy.
In 2021, Newsom was accused of pulling much-needed wildfire prevention funds, by CapRadio and NPR’s California Newsroom.
Most destructive California wildfires
California has been home to dozens of devastating wildfires, including four currently burning in January 2025 that have left over 1,000 structures ruined. Here are the five most destructive wildfires in state history:
- 1. Camp Fire – Butte County, 2018
- Destroying more than 18,000 structures, the Camp Fire is widely known as the most destructive in California state history. Over 153,000 acres were burned and 86 people died.
- 2. Tubbs Fire – Napa County and Sonoma County, 2017
- This October 2017 fire burned more than 5,600 structures and left 36,807 acres charred. Twenty-two people died.
- 3. Tunnel Fire – Alameda County, 1991
- Another October blaze, the Tunnel Fire, destroyed 2,900 structures and burned 1,600 acres in 1991. Twenty-five people died.
- 4. Cedar Fire – San Diego County, 2003
- Nearly 2,900 structures were ruined and a staggering 273,246 acres were burned in this blaze that killed 15 people.
- 5. Valley Fire – Lake, Napa, & Sonoma Counties, 2015
- Four people died in this September 2015 blaze that destroyed nearly 2,000 structures and left 76,067 acres charred.
Source: KABC
The same outlets said he had overstated the number of acres treated with fuel breaks and prescribed burns by a staggering 690%.
On Wednesday, “Resign” started trending on X, formerly known as Twitter, as many called on both Governor Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass to step down.
Mayor Bass has still not returned to her blazing city and remains on a work trip to Ghana.
She is due to arrive back in LA later on Wednesday.
