Staff Reports
Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to Los Angeles, a city currently grappling with the aftermath of devastating fires, is stirring up quite the political whirlwind. Scheduled for Friday, the visit will undoubtedly set the stage for a clash of titans, with Trump squaring off against California’s own Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass. Both have a track record of abject failure in managing the state’s disaster response and forest management, earning a hefty dose of criticism from the former president.
The history between Trump and Newsom is not one of warm camaraderie. Their skirmishes over California’s approach—or the glaring lack of it—when it comes to forest management, have become as frequent as a rerun of a bad sitcom. Trump has been vocal about California’s need for better brush clearance, logging, and controlled burns, arguing that these are essential measures to prevent the rampant wildfires that have sadly become synonymous with the state. Despite their sparring, the ex-president has consistently ensured disaster aid flows to the state during crises, proving he can be magnanimous, at least until the next Twitter battle.
🚨Kevin O’Leary wants to float an idea to Trump on CA aid:
"I think every taxpayer in America, including those in California, would like to tie this aid to removing Newsom and Bass."
"I know Trump likes new ideas. Here's one. Not a dime until those two are whacked from their… pic.twitter.com/yUJcrMjw3p
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) January 14, 2025
Recently, Newsom attempted to turn up the political heat, chastising Trump for allegedly trying to score points off the flames consuming the city. However, it’s rather rich coming from a governor who has overseen a series of preventable disasters. Yet, in a twist that could easily be mistaken for irony, Newsom invited Trump to visit despite their ongoing meat-grinder of a rivalry. Adding to the mix, Mayor Bass’s office is reportedly involved in plotting Trump’s itinerary, a move that might just be classified as damage control after the mayor’s shocking absence during the outbreak of the fires, despite having ample warning of impending extreme wind conditions.
Trump hasn’t let the opportunity to take a jab at Bass slip by, labeling her response to the crisis as nothing short of “gross incompetence.” After all, what’s the point of being a mayor if you can’t be bothered to stay in town during a disaster? One can almost hear the groans of frustrated Californians who expect their leaders to lead, not flee.
During his visit, Trump is expected to check out affected areas like Pacific Palisades and Altadena, both of which have suffered immense damage. He’s expressed optimism about rebuilding, but given California’s track record, he may also have some pointed demands to ensure that federal taxpayer money doesn’t continue to disappear into the abyss of governmental mismanagement. As Trump lays out his vision for recovery, one thing is clear: California’s leaders might just want to buckle up for a truth-telling session they won’t soon forget.
