As wildfires ravaged Los Angeles from January 7 to January 10, 2025, claiming lives, destroying thousands of structures, and displacing over 150,000 residents, the tragedy became a political battleground. President-elect Donald Trump and his allies seized the moment to launch a barrage of attacks against California’s Democratic leaders, particularly Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. These attacks, filled with falsehoods and personal insults, were not only factually inaccurate but also deeply divisive, exploiting a natural disaster to score political points.
Trump’s Truth Social Tirade
Trump wasted no time in blaming California’s Democratic leadership for the wildfires. On Truth Social, he accused Governor Newsom of mismanaging water resources, claiming that Newsom had refused to sign a “water restoration declaration” that would have allowed millions of gallons of water to flow into Southern California. “Governor Gavin Newscum refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him… Now the ultimate price is being paid,” Trump wrote.
However, this claim was entirely false. No such document as a “water restoration declaration” exists, and Newsom’s office quickly debunked the accusation, stating, “There is no such document… The Governor is focused on protecting people, not playing politics”. Trump’s use of the derogatory nickname “Newscum” further underscored the personal and combative nature of his attacks, which were designed to inflame his base rather than address the crisis.
Trump also falsely linked the wildfires to California’s environmental policies, particularly the protection of the Delta smelt, a small endangered fish. He claimed that prioritizing the smelt over water allocation for firefighting had exacerbated the disaster. Yet, experts clarified that California’s reservoirs were at historically high levels, and the hydrant issues were due to infrastructure limitations, not water shortages.
Misinformation and Conspiracy Theories
Trump’s rhetoric was echoed by conservative pundits and social media users, who spread misinformation and conspiracy theories. Elon Musk and former Fox host Megyn Kelly blamed the fires on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, with Musk tweeting, “DEI means people DIE”. These claims were baseless, as there was no evidence linking DEI policies to the firefighting response.
Meanwhile, conspiracy theories about the fires being a cover-up for Hollywood scandals or part of a globalist plot gained traction on platforms like TikTok and X (formerly Twitter). Alex Jones, a notorious purveyor of disinformation, claimed the fires were part of a “larger globalist plot to wage economic warfare”. Such theories not only distracted from the real issues but also added to the psychological toll on residents already grappling with the disaster.
The Lack of Compassion
What made these attacks particularly egregious was their timing. As flames engulfed neighborhoods and families fled for their lives, Trump and his allies chose to politicize the tragedy rather than offer support. Governor Newsom, visibly frustrated, responded to Trump’s attacks by saying, “People are literally fleeing, people have lost their lives, kids lost their schools, families completely torn asunder, churches burned down – this guy wanted to politicize it”.
Even Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a frequent critic of Newsom, struck a more compassionate tone, offering prayers and assistance to California. “When disaster strikes, we must come together to help our fellow Americans in any way we can,” DeSantis said. This stark contrast highlighted the unprecedented nature of Trump’s divisive rhetoric.
The Broader Implications
Trump’s attacks on Newsom and California’s Democratic leadership were not isolated incidents but part of a broader strategy to undermine his political opponents. By framing the wildfires as a result of Democratic incompetence, Trump sought to delegitimize Newsom’s leadership and rally his base ahead of his inauguration on January 20, 2025.
However, this strategy came at a cost. As Dan Schnur, a former Republican strategist, noted, “We’ve never had a president, or a president-elect for that matter, start taking shots while people are still in danger”. The lack of empathy and the willingness to exploit tragedy for political gain underscored the depths to which partisan politics had sunk.
The wildfires in Los Angeles were a natural disaster exacerbated by climate change, extreme drought, and powerful Santa Ana winds. Yet, in the hands of Trump and his allies, they became a weapon to attack political rivals and spread misinformation. By distorting facts, spreading conspiracy theories, and using derogatory language, these partisan attacks not only failed to address the crisis but also deepened divisions at a time when unity was most needed.
As California begins the long process of recovery, the lessons of this tragedy are clear: in the face of disaster, compassion and truth must prevail over partisanship and hate.