California Governor Gavin Newsom recently expressed his frustration with President-elect Donald Trump’s handling of the California wildfires during an appearance on NBC News’ “Meet the Press.” In the interview recorded on Saturday, he criticized the spread of misinformation, stating, “Mis- and disinformation I don’t think advantages or aids any of us.”
Newsom’s remarks seemed to be a direct response to Trump’s recent posts on Truth Social. Trump had been vocal in his criticisms of Newsom, President Joe Biden, and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass ever since the fires broke out the previous Tuesday. One of Trump’s controversial posts inaccurately accused Newsom of blocking a crucial measure that would enable water to flow from Northern California to 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, using a derogatory nickname for Newsom.
Trump further alleged that Newsom was more concerned with preserving a “worthless fish called a smelt,” blaming him for the water woes connected to the fire. Newsom, responding to these claims, told NBC’s Jacob Soboroff that engaging in a back-and-forth with Trump would take an unnecessary amount of time. Newsom remarked, “Every elected official that he disagrees with is very familiar with them [Trump’s insults].”
Additionally, Newsom criticized the inaccurate connection Trump was trying to make between the delta smelt and the current fires, emphasizing that such claims are misleading, especially to those who understand California’s water policy.
Another post from Trump exclaimed, “NO WATER IN THE FIRE HYDRANTS, NO MONEY IN FEMA. THIS IS WHAT JOE BIDEN IS LEAVING ME. THANKS JOE!” Similar to previous claims, he suggested that funds had been misused from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) — a claim he had made following several hurricanes last year.
The wildfires have already claimed the lives of at least 16 people in the Los Angeles area. In response to the tragedy, Newsom wrote to Trump on Friday, extending an invitation for him to visit California to witness the destruction firsthand and to thank the brave firefighters and first responders.
During his conversation with Soboroff, Newsom mentioned that he hadn’t yet received any acknowledgment from Trump regarding his letter. He also expressed concern that the president-elect might follow through on his threats to withhold disaster aid from California once he assumes office, given Trump’s history of such actions in states with opposing leaders.
Newsom pointed out Trump’s previous attempts to withhold federal disaster aid from states like Utah, Michigan, and even Puerto Rico, before his own tenure as governor began in 2018. “He’s done it in Utah. He’s done it in Michigan, did it in Puerto Rico. He did it to California back before I was even governor, in 2018,” Newsom recounted. He noted that Trump’s approach often led to delays in receiving federal aid, a reality the governor is preparing to address.
