California Gov. Gavin Newsom has invited President-elect Donald Trump to visit the fire-ravaged Los Angeles area, the governor’s office announced Friday.
“In the spirit of this great country, we must not politicize human tragedy or spread disinformation from the sidelines,” Newsom wrote in a letter to Trump. “Hundreds of thousands of Americans–displaced from their homes and fearful for the future —deserve to see all of us working in their best interests to ensure a fast recovery and rebuild.”
On Wednesday, Trump blasted Newsom on his Truth Social platform writing “One of the best and most beautiful parts of the United States of America is burning down to the ground. It’s ashes, and Gavin Newscum [sic] should resign. This is all his fault!!!”
As of Friday evening, the two main fires ravaging Los Angeles, Palisades and Eaton, have consumed more than 35,000 acres, destroyed over 9,000 structures, killed 10 people and forced almost 200,000 others to evacuate their homes.
“As you prepare to assume the presidency once more, I invite you to come to California again — to meet with the Americans affected by these fires, see the devastation firsthand, and join me and others in thanking the heroic firefighters and first responders who are putting their lives on the line,” Newsom's letter continued.
Trump and Newsom have feuded about California wildfires before. In 2019, Trump pressed the then newly-elected Newsom to do a better job of managing California’s forest in the aftermath of the 2018 blaze that destroyed 100,000 acres. “Every year, as the fire's rage & California burns, it is the same thing - and then he comes to the Federal Government for $$$ help. No more. Get your act together Governor," Trump wrote on what was previously Twitter.
In September of 2024, Trump again threatened to withhold federal aid from California unless Newsom managed its water supply. “If he doesn’t sign those papers, we won’t give him money to put out all his fires,” Trump said, referring to Newsom authorizing water diversions to farmers. “And if we don’t give him all the money to put out the fires, he’s got problems.”