President-elect Donald Trump has called on California Governor Gavin Newsom, who he dubbed "Newscum," to resign in response to the ongoing wildfires that are devastating Los Angeles, with five people confirmed dead as of Thursday morning.
Addressing the governor in a post on his Truth Social website, Trump wrote: "This is all his fault!!!"
Newsweek contacted Governor Newsom's office for comment via telephone and online inquiry form and Trump's presidential transition team by email on Thursday outside of regular office hours.
Why It Matters
Trump is just days away from being inaugurated as president for the second time, on January 20, at which point his working relationship with America's governors could have a major impact on policy.
Newsom has already been tipped as a potential Democratic contender for the 2028 presidential election, making him a key target for Republicans.
What To Know
Posting on his Truth Social website late on Wednesday, Trump said: "One of the best and most beautiful parts of the United States of America is burning down to the ground. It's ashes, and Gavin Newscum should resign. This is all his fault!!!"
Earlier on Wednesday, Trump wrote: "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 alleged Newsom had been prioritizing delta smelt, a small fish listed under the Endangered Species Act, over residents by placing restrictions on water flow to ensure its survival.
Responding to Newsweek, Izzy Gardon, Newsom's director of communications, said: "There is no such document as the water restoration declaration, that is pure fiction. The Governor is focused on protecting people, not playing politics, and making sure firefighters have all the resources they need."
Newsom addressed Trump's criticism on Wednesday during an interview with CNN in which he said: "People are literally fleeing. People have lost their lives, kids lost their schools. Families completely torn asunder, churches burned down, and this guy wanted to politicize it. I have a lot of thoughts and I know what I want to say – I won't."
People are literally fleeing. Kids have lost their schools. Communities have lost their churches. Families have lost their homes. Some have even lost their lives.
And the President-Elect's response is to politicize it.
We'll continue to focus on what matters: saving lives and... pic.twitter.com/DPJLsKxHDW
A map produced by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) showed that as of 3:30 a.m. ET (12:30 PT) firefighters were dealing with five main infernos around Los Angeles including the Lidia Fire in Acton.
The Palisades Fire had consumed 17,234 acres to the west of Santa Monica, the Sunset Fire burned through 42.8 acres in the Hollywood Hills near Beavery Hill and the Eaton Fire raged across 10,600 acres north of Pasadena. Further out, the Hurst Fire burned across 855 acres around San Fernando.
Late on Wednesday, the Los Angeles Fire Department issued an evacuation order for an area bounded by Runyon Canyon on the west, Mulholland Drive on the north, the 101 Freeway on the east and Hollywood Boulevard on the south. This was in response to the Sunset Fire, which broke out in the iconic Hollywood Hills.
It's been confirmed that five people have died due to the wildfires around Los Angeles with officials telling CNN they expect this toll to rise as others are unaccounted for.
What People Are Saying
Conservative commentator Hannah Cox, who has over 92,000 X (formerly Twitter) followers, used the platform to post: "I really hope this is the final nail is Gavin Newsom's loathsome career."
Playground AI founder Suhail Doshi commented: "It is time to vote Gavin Newsom out of office. He has failed our state on numerous levels. Enough is enough.
"He has failed us on drugs, homelessness, housing, prostitution, debt, expediency on critical infrastructure, entrepreneurship, and now protecting us from these fires. This is not a surprise fire, we've been having them all over for years."
The popular 'USMCLiberal' X account, which has over 51,000 followers, wrote: "If Gavin Newsom is responsible for the fires in California — then Ron DeSantis is responsible for Hurricane Helene, along with the treasonous North Carolina GOP."
What Happens Next
President Joe Biden said on Wednesday he has approved Governor Newsom's request for a major disaster declaration in response to the Los Angeles wildfires, making federal funding available to support the victims and rescue efforts.
Republicans are likely to continue blaming Newsom for the disaster as they take control of the House and the presidency this month.
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