While a violent fire ravages the city of Los Angeles and leaves several dead, Donald Trump names a culprit by spreading false information.
Los Angeles is burning and Donald Trump prefers to name a culprit than worry about the victims. The American president-elect who will be inaugurated in ten days reacted to the violent fires which reduced thousands of hectares and buildings to ashes on Wednesday January 8 on his Truth Social network. The billionaire did not have a word for the victims, injured or the five people who died according to the provisional report. He was only after the Democratic governor of California, Gavin Newsom, whom he considers responsible for the fires.
The future tenant of the White House criticizes the Democrat for having “refused to sign the water restoration declaration which had been presented to him and which would have allowed millions of gallons of water, coming from excess rain and snowmelt in the North, to flow daily into many areas of California. According to Donald Trump, it was this refusal that led to the drought and the firefighters’ difficulties in finding water to put out the flames. Los Angeles residents were indeed encouraged to save water after three reservoirs supplying fire hydrants were emptied by firefighters in their battle against the blaze.
The governor of California “did not care about the people of California” declared Donald Trump on Truth Social, accusing the Democrat of having favored an environmental policy and the protection of a fish: “He wanted to protect a fish without interest called hypomesus transpacificus”. But the reality is more complex than what the president-elect wants us to believe by spreading what the AFP describes as “false information”.
Fake news serving the debate between agriculture and environment
Regarding the “water restoration declaration,” Gavin Newsom’s office indicated that “no such document exists – it is pure fiction.” As for blaming the fires and lack of water on environmental measures, which are reduced to the protection of a single fish, is dishonest on the part of the Republican. In Los Angeles, most of the water used comes from the Colorado River and is primarily used to supply the agricultural industry, reports AFP. A detail Donald Trump refrains from mentioning since in the water battle which pits farmers against defenders of biodiversity, the future head of state has chosen his side a long time ago. Already during his first term, Donald Trump did not hesitate to reduce environmental standards to favor agricultural activities, even those with harmful consequences on water quality with the modification of the Clean Water Act for example.
In California, the question of environmental protection, particularly of certain species, has been debated for many years. But the subject is only getting worse with the increase in droughts and the means of combating them, which for many consist of massive water pumping, further weakening the environment. Difficulties to which is added the massive use of water for agricultural production. With so much need for water, the battle for blue gold rages on in California. If the governor’s teams ensure “focusing on protecting people, without playing politics, and ensuring that firefighters have all the resources they need”, Donald Trump announced “demanding this incompetent governor allow fresh, clean, beautiful water to flow into California,” trying to pull the rug out from under him.