As much of California burns to the ground amid massive wildfires, leaving ordinary Americans and A-list celebrities alike without their homes, critics are pointing to the deep blue state’s policies as a major contributing factor to the ongoing disaster.
For his part, President Donald Trump has called out Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, which has ruffled the feathers of some in the mainstream media.
One reporter asked GOP Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis about Trump’s criticism, however, and he was clearly ready with his response.
According to Fox News:
The reporter appeared to be asking another governor if it was appropriate for Trump to criticize Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom as deadly wildfires rage throughout the state.
The question prompted DeSantis to step forward and ask, “Is it appropriate for people in your industry to try to create division and to try to create narratives any time these things happen?”
“Now, you’re not as interested in doing that because Newsom is a D. If Newsom was a Republican, you guys would go try … you would have him nailed to the wall for what they’re doing over there,” he continued.
The Florida governor, who has managed multiple disasters during his tenure, said he has often been criticized for things that were out of his control and has been blamed for incidents before the facts came out, referencing the 2021 Surfside condominium collapse.
ADVERTISEMENT“I think your track record of politicizing these things is very, very bad,” DeSantis said.
He said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass would be treated much differently for her trip to Ghana while fires were high risk if she were a Republican.
Of course, Trump and DeSantis are hardly alone when it comes to casting at least some of the blame on Newsom and other Democratic leaders:
Gavin Newsom is literally Patrick Bateman from American Psycho. Here he is faking a failed call with Joe Biden to dodge questions from a wildfire victim. pic.twitter.com/xrbMQpUUhZ
— DEL (@delinthecity_) January 9, 2025
April, 2021. Gavin Newsom explains that wildfire preparedness will be better now that Biden is in office instead of Trump. pic.twitter.com/jTnSgagQsF
— MAZE (@mazemoore) January 8, 2025
Governor Newsom Orders All Trees To Wear Masks To Prevent Spread Of Wildfires https://t.co/lXNGL0ujjr pic.twitter.com/V5HxuqXT31
— The Babylon Bee (@TheBabylonBee) January 8, 2025
Ah yes, the leadership we’ve come to expect from Gavin Newsom: dodging accountability like it’s a wildfire.
No water in the fire hydrants?
‘Local folks are gonna figure that out.’
Translation: 'Not my problem, peasants!'
California deserves better than this POS. pic.twitter.com/HhkSd3gzBB
— NahBabyNah #Trump (@NahBabyNah) January 9, 2025
There's no water to fight the wildfire in Los Angeles
Just a reminder that California voters approved a ballot measure to have more water storage built & Gavin Newsom still hasn't done it.
As a result, millions of gallons of snow melt and rain pour into the Pacific Ocean pic.twitter.com/Nrwee1n7vW
— Ari Hoffman 🎗 (@thehoffather) January 8, 2025
A number of prominent public figures have also weighed in on the matter, including podcast host Joe Rogan and his recent guest, actor Mel Gibson.
As Newsweek reported:
Gibson, who lives in Malibu, discussed the “inferno” engulfing his neighborhood and other areas in and around Los Angeles before the discussion with Rogan quickly turned to politics.
“The wildfire situation … How crazy it is that they spent $24 billion last year on the homeless, and what did they spend on preventing these wildfires? Zip,” Rogan said.
Gibson then interjected by directly accusing Newsom of failing to “take care of the forest,” while jokingly suggesting that the governor was spending all of California’s “tax dollars” on his “hair gel.”
“In 2019, I think Newsom said, ‘You know, I’m going to take care of the forest and maintain the forest, all of that kind of stuff,'” said Gibson. “He didn’t do anything … And then I think all our tax dollars probably went for Gavin’s hair gel … It’s sad. It’s like, the place is just on fire.”
Rogan went on to say that Newsom had “ruined the state personally” and that it was “just insane” for the governor to frequently call California “the best state.”
Here’s a clip from DeSantis’ recent press conference:
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