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Trump Visits California to Survey Wildfire Damage Amid Ongoing Tensions with Governor Newsom

Trump has visited California to assess wildfire damage, amid political tensions with Governor Newsom over the state’s emergency response.

President Donald Trump visited California on Friday to assess the aftermath of devastating wildfires that have ravaged communities in the Los Angeles area. The visit marked the end of Trump’s first week back in office after his return from a tour of damage caused by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.

Trump’s arrival came at a time when he was embroiled in a heated political rivalry with California’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, who greeted him at the tarmac. The two leaders have frequently clashed, particularly over policies in the liberal state. Despite their differences, Newsom extended a warm welcome to the president as he descended from Air Force One.

The wildfires have left a trail of destruction across Southern California, and the danger remains high with new fires breaking out in several counties, including Los Angeles, San Diego, and Riverside. Local officials are grappling with dry, windy conditions that favor fire growth, and firefighting efforts continue around the clock.

Trump, speaking to reporters after shaking hands with Newsom, noted the severity of the damage. “It looks like you got hit by a bomb,” he remarked, referring to the devastation. Despite the ongoing destruction, both leaders expressed a desire to work together for a speedy recovery.

“We’re going to need your support, we’re going to need your help,” Newsom said, thanking Trump for his commitment during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I don’t forget that, and I have all the expectations that we’ll be able to work together to get this speedy recovery.”

Afterward, Trump toured the wreckage in Pacific Palisades with his wife, Melania, before attending a roundtable discussion with local leaders, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. He vowed to sign an executive order that would send water from northern parts of California to the south to assist with the recovery process.

However, tensions flared when Mayor Bass discussed the need for patience as crews worked to clear hazardous waste before residents could return to their homes. “What’s hazardous waste? I mean, you’re going to have to define that,” Trump remarked, questioning the delay in allowing residents to return to their properties.

New fires have broken out across Southern California, further complicating firefighting efforts. The Hughes Fire, which began earlier this week, has already scorched more than 10,000 acres of land, forcing tens of thousands to evacuate their homes.

Over the past few weeks, wildfires in California have claimed at least 28 lives and destroyed over 37,000 acres of land, including numerous neighborhoods. Despite the loss, many homeowners expressed a desire to rebuild, a sentiment that Trump echoed in his comments following a helicopter tour of the devastated areas.

“The federal government is standing behind you 100%,” Trump assured local leaders and residents. In response to the fires, Governor Newsom announced a $2.5 billion state aid package to assist with recovery efforts.

Yet, Trump has been vocal in his criticisms of California’s emergency response, particularly the state’s water laws and voting policies. He has threatened to withhold federal assistance unless the state changes its laws on water use and voter identification requirements.

“After that, I will be the greatest president that California has ever seen,” Trump declared earlier, referring to the potential changes he would like to see.

Newsom’s office, however, quickly condemned the president’s stance. “Conditioning aid for American citizens is wrong,” the statement read.

Brian Rice, president of the California Professional Firefighters, expressed concern over the possibility of Trump withholding aid. “The most important focus we have is getting federal aid into California, into these communities where people have lost their lives, their homes,” he said

Trump also reiterated his dissatisfaction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), criticizing the agency’s handling of disaster response and suggesting that states should have more control over managing their own disasters. This sentiment was echoed during his visit to North Carolina, where he called FEMA “a very expensive, mostly failed situation.”

As California prepares for the 2028 Summer Olympics and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the fires and their aftermath continue to pose significant challenges. Trump’s visit, while politically charged, underscores the urgency of rebuilding and restoring affected communities. 

Despite the political friction, both Trump and Newsom have pledged to work together to address the destruction caused by the fires, with the federal government standing ready to support recovery efforts.

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