President Donald Trump has blasted California Governor Gavin Newsom and Democrats over the apparent mismanagement of funds raised for victims of January’s devastating wildfires.
In a post on social media, Trump called the situation a “Democrat inspired scam.”
The controversy centers around the $100 million raised during the celebrity-led “FireAid” benefit concert.
The event was meant to help wildfire victims in the Los Angeles area.
The concert featured a star-studded lineup and raised an impressive $100 million.
Actor Miles Teller told viewers that “all the money raised will go directly to people who need it now and long-term efforts to build it back.”
However, it has now been revealed that the funds were not directed to the victims themselves.
Instead, the cash has been funneled into 188 shady non-profit organizations.
Many of those organizations are based across the country and have failed to respond to media inquiries about how the money is being used.
Trump quickly reacted, calling the situation a “disaster,” saying:
“’FIREAID’ IS A TOTAL DISASTER.
“LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER DEMOCRAT INSPIRED SCAM.
“100 MILLION DOLLARS IS MISSING.
“WAS SUPPOSED TO GO TO THE LOS ANGELES FIRE VICTIMS, FIRES THAT, WITH PROPER MANAGEMENT, WOULD NEVER HAVE EVEN HAPPENED.”
Trump further criticized Newsom’s handling of the fire management.
The president accused the Democrat governor of refusing to release water resources from Northern California and the Pacific Northwest.
Those resources that could have helped prevent the wildfires from escalating in the first place.
However, the water resources had been withheld by the state to amplify the Democrats’ “climate change” narrative.
“I HAVE SINCE OVERRULED HIM, AND IT IS NOW RELEASED,” Trump added.
“All FEDERAL HOUSING PERMITS HAVE ALSO BEEN APPROVED, THE CITY IS YEARS LATE.
“GET THE FIRE VICTIMS THEIR APPROVALS TO REBUILD, AND DO IT NOW!”
Despite the devastating wildfires that ravaged Southern California months ago, leaving thousands of homes in ruins, fewer than 100 building permits have been issued.
Six months on from the fires, no progress appears to have been made in rebuilding the Pacific Palisades.
WATCH:
Why does it look like there is zero recovery effort happening in the Pacific Palisades? pic.twitter.com/iXGOEMDGDy
— Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) June 30, 2025
The lack of movement is leading many to question the slow response from both local and state governments.
In a move that some critics believe was an attempt to avoid addressing the immediate needs of fire victims, Newsom announced earlier this month that $101 million in funding would be allocated for new “multifamily rental housing” in the area.
For many, this raised concerns that the focus may have shifted from helping fire victims rebuild their homes to pushing a political agenda.
Trump’s criticism highlights the ongoing frustration among many Californians, particularly those affected by the fires.
Many are left wondering where the promised relief funds went and why their communities have been left in limbo for so long.
As the recovery continues, the question remains: Was this massive fundraising effort truly for the victims, or was it just another political maneuver by Democrats?
READ MORE – Gavin Newsom Blames Trump for Wildfire Spread in California
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