Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis told reporters Thursday that he criticized California leaders for a lack of accountability for the devastating wildfires, a stark contrast to the treatment Republican leaders are often treated after disasters. He pointed out the contrast.
DeSantis and other Republican governors had just finished a dinner with President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Thursday night, which led to a heated exchange with reporters.
The reporter appeared to ask another governor whether it was appropriate for President Trump to criticize California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom as deadly wildfires rage across the state.
Newsom calls Trump's claims 'pure fiction' after president-elect points out tragedy in California fires
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis called for balance in how some media outlets cover Republican and Democratic leaders when natural disasters occur in the state, pointing to differences in who is responsible. . (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
This question prompted DeSantis to come forward and ask, “Is it appropriate for people in your industry to try to create division and create a narrative every time something like this happens?” I asked.
“Now, Newsom is a Democrat, so you guys don't really care about that. If Newsom was a Republican, you guys would try… to wall him for what he's doing over there.” “I’ll nail it,” he continued.
Tanner Charles Scharf shared a photo of the house he and a friend fled from during the California wildfires. (Tanner Charles Scharf)
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The Florida governor, who has dealt with multiple disasters during his time in office, cited the 2021 Surfside apartment collapse, saying he has often been criticized for things outside of his control and blamed the incident before the facts were known. He said he has been held accountable.
“I think your track record of politicizing these things is very bad,” DeSantis said.
He said if Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass were a Republican, her trip to Ghana, which poses a high risk of fire, would be treated much differently.
“You’re supposed to be there, preparing, doing it, but there just doesn’t seem to be a lot of enthusiasm. [toward her]'' DeSantis said. “I would like to see some balance in how this is done. You can criticize the president-elect, but you also have to be accountable to other people, but I don't want to do things like that. I have never seen it.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass toured the Pacific Palisades downtown business district on January 8 as the Palisades Fire continued to burn. (Eric Thayer/Getty Images)
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Bass returned to Los Angeles on Wednesday, but did not say much to city residents outside of a press conference. While waiting to get off the plane, she snubbed Sky News reporter David Blevins, who asked her if she had anything to say about the devastating fire.
“You haven't given them any apologies? Do you think they should have visited Ghana while this was happening back home?” Blevins asked as Bass continued to look at the ground. .
“Mayor, I ask you again, is there anything you would like to say to the citizens as you leave today?'' he said.
A 2021 tweet by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass criticizing Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) for leaving the state in the deadly cold has been linked to wildfires burning in Los Angeles County. It bothered her again this week, as she was in Ghana during that time. Despite a high-risk warning before she left. (AP Photo/Nick Cooley/X)
With multiple wildfires raging in Los Angeles County, Californians are questioning Newsom and Bass about their past decisions related to fire prevention efforts, including Bass' decision to reduce fires. He criticizes both men. LAFD's budget is $17 million.
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The wildfires have claimed at least 10 lives, burned more than 35,800 acres and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses since they started Tuesday.
California wildfires have killed at least 10 people and destroyed more than 10,000 structures. (Tanner Charles Scharf)
Firefighters are still struggling to extinguish the Palisades and Eaton fires, the agency's two largest fires, with 6% and 0% containment rates, respectively, as of Thursday night, according to Cal Fire data. There is.
