‘California’s Sugar Daddy is Gone, Trump’s Taking Charge’ [WATCH]

As California grapples with the aftermath of devastating wildfires that began on January 7 in Los Angeles County, Alabama Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville has emphasized the need for conditions on federal aid to the state.

Speaking Tuesday on Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle, Tuberville criticized California’s leadership and highlighted the potential approach of President-elect Donald Trump’s administration to the crisis.

“What a disaster, Laura. They have no governance there. They have no leadership. You see what’s going on in all these blue cities and blue states around the country, and they just got outed again in California,” Tuberville said to host Laura Ingraham.

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The wildfires, which have caused over $250 billion in damages, have reignited debates over California’s management of resources and preparedness for natural disasters.

Tuberville pointed to prior federal assistance to the state, suggesting a pattern of reliance on bailouts.

“Chuck Schumer, since I’ve been here, has been their sugar daddy,” Tuberville said.

“He’s bailed them out with the CARES Act in 2021 — $30 million, $40 million, a billion dollars. He bailed them out because they’re dead broke. We turn around with the Inflation Reduction Act. We did the same thing a couple years ago. We bailed them out again. Folks, their sugar daddy’s gone.”

While Tuberville expressed support for aiding Californians affected by the fires, he stressed the importance of attaching stipulations to the assistance.

“Donald Trump is a new sheriff in town,” Tuberville said.

“They have nobody to pay their bills. They’re going to have to go to Donald Trump and say we need your help and that’s fine. We’ll help them, but there’s got to be some stipulations on what we do, how we do it, when we do it, and what we’re going to get out of it.”

Tuberville criticized California officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, for their handling of the crisis and lack of preparation.

He also noted the frustration of taxpayers across the country. “The American taxpayers are sick and tired of watching what’s going on out there with people that are stealing the money, no governance, and have no clue what they’re doing,” he said.

‘California’s Sugar Daddy is Gone, Donald Trump is a New Sheriff in Town’: Tommy Tuberville

As California grapples with the aftermath of devastating wildfires that began on January 7 in Los Angeles County, Alabama Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville has emphasized the need for… pic.twitter.com/dP1sLMMWwv

— RVM News (@redvoicenews) January 15, 2025

Other congressional Republicans have also raised concerns about California’s leadership and the use of federal funds.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, Wisconsin Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, and House Financial Services Committee Chairman Mike Flood have questioned the efficacy of sending aid without addressing the state’s systemic issues, including home insurance policies.

However, some Republicans, such as Florida Rep. Rick Scott and North Carolina Rep. Thom Tillis, have supported federal assistance without conditions, emphasizing the need to help residents directly impacted by the fires.

Tuberville suggested that the incoming Trump administration’s EPA director should play a role in California’s recovery and future wildfire prevention.

“What’s gonna have to happen is the new EPA director that President Trump is going to bring in, he’s going to have to get involved,” Tuberville said.

“It’s obvious that these people have no clue whatsoever of what to do, how to do it, and so our new EPA director can get involved in this, put some stipulations down on how we’re going to help them.”

Despite his criticisms, Tuberville acknowledged the beauty of California and the need to assist its residents.

“Unfortunately, a lot of that state don’t believe in all this blue madness, but we’re going to help everybody out,” he added.

Meanwhile, residents of Altadena, California, have filed lawsuits against Southern California Edison and Edison International, alleging the companies’ negligence in preventing the fires.

Plaintiffs claim that the utilities failed to de-energize electrical equipment and properly manage flammable vegetation near their infrastructure, actions they argue could have prevented the crisis.

As recovery efforts continue, debates over accountability, federal aid, and California’s leadership remain in the spotlight.

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