Donald Trump has called on California Governor Gavin Newsom to resign as wildfires continue to rage in Los Angeles, leaving neighborhoods in complete ruins.
It comes after Trump said the governor, whom he called “Gavin Newscum,” was to blame for the disaster – criticizing him for focusing on environmental policies over those of Golden State residents.
Now, in a new Truth Social post, the president-elect has called for Newsom to resign, reiterating his position that the governor is “to blame” for the disaster.
Trump wrote: “One of the best and most beautiful parts of the United States of America is burning to the ground.
“It’s ashes, and Gavin Newscum needs to resign.
“This is all his fault!!!”
During a conversation with Anderson Cooper during the Los Angeles fires Wednesday, Newsom appeared visibly hurt by Trump’s criticism.
‘People are literally fleeing. People have lost their lives. “Children lost their schools, families were completely torn apart, churches burned down,” he said.
Newsom avoided commenting further on Trump: “I have a lot of thoughts and I know what I want to say… I don’t.”
Donald Trump has called on California Governor Gavin Newsom to resign as wildfires continue to rage in Los Angeles
Trump said the governor, whom he called “Gavin Newscum,” was to blame for the disaster — and criticized him for focusing on environmental policies over those of Golden State residents.
Gavin Newsom looks close to tears as he condemns Trump for blaming the LA wildfires
During a conversation with Anderson Cooper during the Los Angeles fires Wednesday, Newsom appeared visibly hurt by Trump’s criticism
He then railed against Trump for trying to “politicize” the disaster, while contrasting him with Joe Biden.
“Today I stood next to a President of the United States of America and I was proud to be with Joe Biden. And he had the backs of everyone in this community. He didn’t play politics or try to divide any of us.”
It followed Newsom’s press office criticism of Trump for claiming he could demand water flow to California at any time and that he did not do so on purpose.
“There is no such document as the water restoration statement – that is pure fiction,” a Newsom spokesperson wrote.
“The governor is focused on keeping people safe, not playing politics, and ensuring firefighters have all the resources they need.”
Trump previously attacked Newsom for being unprepared for the devastating wildfires that have sprung up across Los Angeles and caused immeasurable damage.
Trump took to Truth Social on Wednesday to criticize the California Democrat.
The president-elect wrote: “Governor Gavin Newscum refused to sign the water recovery declaration presented to him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water from excess rain and snowmelt from the north to flow daily to many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in an almost apocalyptic manner.’
California Governor Gavin Newsom, right, surveys damage in Pacific Palisades with CalFire’s Nick Schuler during the Palisades Fire on Wednesday
California Governor Gavin Newsom (R) watches as firefighters battle the Palisades Wildfire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles
“He wanted to protect a basically worthless fish called a smelt by giving it less water (it didn’t work!), but didn’t care about the people of California,” the statement continued.
‘Now the ultimate price is being paid. I will demand that this incompetent governor keep nice, clean, fresh water flowing to CALIFORNIA! He is to blame for this. Moreover, there is no water for fire hydrants and no fire-fighting aircraft. A real disaster!’
So far, at least five people have been killed in the disaster, which destroyed two thousand structures and left thousands of people in the city with nothing but ash.
The death toll is expected to rise as police and fire departments prepare to deploy K-9 units trained in detecting human remains.
As of Thursday morning, the largest inferno has consumed nearly 12,000 acres (4,856 hectares) in the picturesque Pacific Palisades neighborhood, home to many film, television and music stars.
In Studio City, several homes caught fire late Wednesday after a fire broke out in a four-story building and spread to neighboring properties.
More than 130,000 people are still under evacuation orders in Southern California after several notable TV, movie and music stars announced on social media that they had lost their homes.
Mandy Moore, Cary Elwes, Paris Hilton, James Woods, Billy Crystal and his wife Janice all claimed to have seen their homes go up in smoke during the Palisades Fire.
Private forecaster AccuWeather estimated the initial damage and economic loss at more than $50 billion (£40 billion).