Actor Mel Gibson suggested that "the end of civilization" is near during an interview with podcaster Joe Rogan as Los Angeles continued to face a series of devastating wildfires.
Why It Matters
The ongoing fires in California have killed at least five people so far, while burning tens of thousands of acres and destroying thousands of structures, including the homes of many celebrities who live in affluent areas that quickly became engulfed in flames.
Gibson, who owns a home in Malibu, spoke about the fires and what he believes are "earmarks" for the end of civilization while appearing Thursday on an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, which is taped in Austin, Texas.
What To Know
"I would be surprised if my home is still there," Gibson said during the podcast. "I've got a son, he's a sort of volunteer firefighter. Milo, I call him 'the mayor of Malibu,' and he's running around. I asked him, 'How's things looking there, Milo?' He says, 'Not good, Pops.'"
"He sent me a video of my neighborhood," he added. "And it's in flames. It looks like an inferno. So, not good."
Rogan, who frequently pushes conservative rhetoric and endorsed President-elect Donald Trump last year, suggested that Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom was responsible for the fires because the state "spent $24 billion last year on the homeless," while blaming the governor for having "ruined the state personally."
Gibson, an outspoken conservative who also endorsed Trump, agreed with Rogan. He went on to claim that Newsom was responsible for San Francisco supposedly becoming "apocalyptic" and "a mess" because homeless people live there. He then suggested that civilization itself was ready to "cave in and collapse."
"I read a book once by Jared Diamond called Collapse," Gibson said. "It says all the things you need for a civilization to cave in and collapse. And a lot of those things are present, all those earmarks, the precursors of a collapse. They're present in our time. So, it's an interesting observation."
The actor later spoke about his belief that a divine "intelligence" was controlling everything in the universe, just before joking that the ongoing fires in California would "do" nothing except possibly "give [him] a new house."
Gibson's publicist declined Newsweek's request for comment on Thursday.
What People Are Saying
Newsom, commenting on the status of the fires on Thursday in a post to X, formerly Twitter: "We just activated hundreds of additional California National Guard members to help battle blazes and keep our Southern California communities safe. Grateful for our men and women who are willing to jump in and help fight these unprecedented wildfires. We will forever be in your debt."
Actress Jamie Lee Curtis, who lives in a fire-struck neighborhood but did not lose her own home, in a post to Instagram on Thursday: "As the fire still rages on... all the available first responders and agencies involved in fighting fire and saving lives are still hard at work and neighbors and friends are banding together to save each other, my husband and I and our children have pledged $1 million from our Family Foundation to start a fund of support for our great city and state and the great people who live and love there.
"I'm in communication with Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass and Senator Schiff as to where those funds need to be directed for the most impact."
What Happens Next
Southern California emergency workers and agencies were continuing to deal with the fires and issues related to the fires as of late Thursday afternoon. Cal Fire reported that several of the major fires remained at 0 percent containment, despite a recent weakening of the heavy winds that helped the flames spread.
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