In a controversial statement, President-elect Donald Trump has placed the blame for the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles County squarely on California Governor Gavin Newsom. Trump alleged that Newsom rejected a non-existent “water restoration declaration,” which he claimed could have mitigated the effects of the devastating fires.

Trump stated on Truth Social that Newsom’s refusal to approve this declaration “would have allowed millions of gallons of water . . . to flow daily into many parts of California.” He argued that the governor's actions were motivated by a desire to "protect an essentially worthless fish called a smelt.” However, Newsom's office promptly denounced Trump's accusations as "pure fiction," affirming that there is no such document. In a tweet, they asserted that Newsom is dedicated to ensuring that firefighters have the necessary resources and is focused on protecting the public rather than engaging in political maneuvering.

Labeling Newsom as “Newscum,” Trump intensified his rhetoric, stating that Newsom is responsible for the wildfires and criticizing the governor and his team for having “contained exactly ZERO percent of the fire.” His long-standing stance advocates for diverting more water from Northern California to Southern California farmers, a position he claims could reduce fire risks, even though experts assert that most fires are not located on agricultural land and are primarily driven by drought and extreme wind conditions.

Additionally, Trump has faced backlash for what appears to be politicization of disaster response, with Newsom previously remarking that Trump would “block emergency disaster funds to settle political vendettas.” This comment was made in reaction to Trump’s threats regarding federal aid in the past.

As of now, the wildfires have consumed more than 5,600 acres, leading to the death of at least two individuals and causing significant power outages affecting hundreds of thousands. Evacuations have been ordered for residents in the Palisades area along the Pacific Coast Highway amid warnings of a “highly dangerous windstorm,” which is anticipated to exacerbate fire risks.

Historically, during his presidency, Trump sought to alter the balance of water management policies, reversing protections for endangered species in a way that favored agricultural interests over environmental concerns. His administration's shifts on these issues have seen legal pushbacks from the state, reflecting deep-seated tensions in California’s water management discourse. For ongoing updates regarding the wildfire situation, you can refer to the [original article on Forbes](https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2025/01/08/trump-slams-gavin-newsom-for-wildfires-falsely-claiming-he-rejected-water-restoration-declaration/).