Striking claim from Trump regarding the fires in Los Angeles

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump argued that the fires in Los Angeles could have been prevented.

According to a report by The Hill, Trump stated in a television program he attended that the region had become "completely desolate" due to the ongoing fires in Los Angeles, adding, "The problem is, it was always very dry. This created a total mess. They could have protected their forests."

Describing the damage the fires caused to the region as if "a massive bomb had dropped," Trump said, "There is nothing left except for a few chimneys standing. Most of the chimneys have collapsed as well."

In a post on his Truth Social social media account, Trump advised California Governor Gavin Newsom to use the water in the north of the region to extinguish the fire, stating, "Millions of gallons a day. Why is it taking so long? You should have done it eight years ago and you wouldn't have any fire problem today. Total incompetence!"

In a statement on January 8, Donald Trump noted that one of the most beautiful regions of the U.S. had been leveled, arguing that the fires in Los Angeles were "entirely Newsom's fault and he should resign."

Newsom, in an interview with NBC News on January 12, 2025, expressed his concerns that Trump might refuse to provide federal disaster aid to the region after taking office.

Stating that Trump had "blocked aid to Utah, Michigan, Puerto Rico, and even California in 2018" in the past, Newsom remarked, "Trump only agreed to provide aid once he learned that some people in Orange County had voted for him."

LOS ANGELES FIRES ON THEIR 8TH DAY

In the fires that began on the morning of January 7 local time in various parts of Los Angeles and spread rapidly due to strong winds, more than 37 thousand acres of land have been reduced to ashes to date.

24 people have lost their lives in the fires, and evacuation orders have been issued for approximately 150 thousand people.

More than 12 thousand structures have been damaged or rendered unusable in the disaster.

The total damage and economic loss caused by the ongoing fires are estimated to be between 250 billion dollars and 275 billion dollars.

News Source: AA