California Governor Gavin Newsom has repeatedly spoken out in recent days to clarify billionaire Elon Musk’s attacks regarding the Los Angeles wildfire disaster.
California Governor Gavin Newsom (left) has repeatedly had to clarify billionaire Elon Musk’s attacks. Photo: MARIO TAMA/ANDREW HARNIK/GETTY IMAGES.
According to Newsweek, the wildfires that have been raging in southern California since last week are considered the worst in the state’s history, 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ing at least 24 people and destroying more than 12,000 structures.
In addition to criticism from President-elect Donald Trump , Governor Gavin Newsom also faced “fury” from billionaire Elon Musk, accusing California of poor resource management and delays in extinguishing fires, according to the US newspaper Newsweek.
It all started when billionaire Elon Musk shared a post on social network X, criticizing Mr. Newsom for promoting environmental projects but disregarding the construction of water storage facilities. Billionaire Elon Musk personally commented: “This is crazy.”
California officials are facing criticism over reports that the city’s water tanks were depleted, leaving firefighters helpless. Newsom himself has called for an independent investigation.
Musk also downplayed the impact of climate change, which many experts say exacerbated the wildfires. “Don’t blame climate change, it’s the lack of regulation and poor management at the state and local level that leads to water shortages,” Musk wrote on social media.
Mr Musk also shared a post accusing “Governor Newsom and Democratic officials of turning a blind eye to looting and looting during the wildfire disaster”.
On January 13, Mr. Newsom responded with a statement accusing billionaire Elon Musk of “lying” and “inciting looting.” “Stop inciting looting, stop spreading false information that this behavior has been legalized. That is a false statement. Looting is illegal. Those who cause trouble will be arrested and prosecuted,” Mr. Newsom declared.
Also on January 13, Mr. Newsom once again affirmed that billionaire Elon Musk spread false information when meeting with a group of firefighters participating in fighting fires in the Palisades area.
In a video posted by Governor Newsom, Mr. Musk asked a firefighter about water sources to fight the fire, mentioning that the area was experiencing a water shortage.
Firefighters responded that the problem was not the water supply but the city’s fire suppression system being overwhelmed. “Firefighters have exposed Elon Musk’s false claims,” Newsom wrote on social media X.
According to Newsweek, a US netizen expressed support for billionaire Musk: “While California is still struggling with wildfires, the state governor is here arguing with Elon Musk. He should resign.”