Resurfaced Clip Confirms Trump’s Warning About Newsom and Wildfires [WATCH]

Los Angeles County is grappling with devastating wildfires that have displaced tens of thousands of residents and left vast swathes of land in ashes.

As the blazes rage out of control, a video of former President Donald Trump criticizing California’s fire management policies has resurfaced, drawing renewed attention to his remarks.

The clip, from Trump’s appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast three months ago, highlights his sharp critique of California’s environmental regulations and forest maintenance strategies.

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Trump’s podcast discussion focused on what he sees as California’s failure to address critical issues like water management and forest upkeep. “They said, ‘We have no water,’” Trump stated in the interview.

“I said, do you have a drought? ‘No, we don’t have a drought.’ I said, why do you have no water? ‘Because the water isn’t allowed to flow down.’ It’s got a natural flow from Canada all the way up north, more water than they could ever use. And in order to protect a tiny little fish, the water up north gets routed into the Pacific Ocean. Millions and millions of gallons of water gets poured.”

The “tiny little fish” referenced by Trump is the delta smelt, a species native to California waterways and a central figure in the state’s environmental regulations.

Trump criticized these policies, arguing that they prioritize the fish over the safety and welfare of California residents. “I could have water for all of that land, water for your forests,” he said. “You know your forests are dry as a bone.”

He further suggested that simple measures like clearing deadfall and raking leaves could significantly reduce wildfire damage.

Trump’s long-standing criticism of California’s fire management policies also includes comments on forest maintenance.

“They’re not allowed to rake their forests because you’re not allowed to touch it,” he said during the podcast. “And all they have to do is clean their forest, meaning rake it up, get rid of the leaves, you know, leaves that are sitting there for five years.”

Los Angeles County is grappling with devastating wildfires that have displaced tens of thousands of residents and left vast swathes of land in ashes.

As the blazes rage out of control, a video of former President Donald Trump criticizing California’s fire management policies has… pic.twitter.com/JMhU4fVFvl

— RVM News (@redvoicenews) January 9, 2025

Currently, three major wildfires in Los Angeles County—affecting areas such as Pacific Palisades, Sylmar, and Pasadena—have forced the evacuation of over 30,000 residents and left 200,000 without power. Fire officials report zero percent containment, with the powerful Santa Ana winds continuing to fuel the flames.

Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency, warning that conditions could worsen in the coming days.

Trump doubled down on his criticism of California’s policies on Truth Social, specifically targeting Governor Newsom. “Governor Gavin Newscum refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snow melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way,” Trump wrote. He accused Newsom of prioritizing the delta smelt over Californians’ safety, stating, “He wanted to protect an essentially worthless fish called a smelt… but didn’t care about the people of California. Now the ultimate price is being paid.”

Governor Gavin Newscum refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snow melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning…

— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) January 8, 2025

While experts acknowledge that California’s wildfire challenges are multifaceted, including factors like climate change and urban sprawl, Trump’s remarks have gained traction as residents grapple with the fallout of the current crisis.

Firefighters continue to struggle against the infernos, which are exacerbated by the state’s prolonged water shortages and years of forest mismanagement.

The wildfires in Los Angeles County underscore the dire need for systemic change in California’s environmental and resource management strategies.

Trump’s critique, though polarizing, raises questions about whether longstanding policies have contributed to the recurring devastation faced by Californians each wildfire season.

As the flames continue to spread, so too does the debate over the state’s preparedness and priorities.

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