3 hours ago
Last Updated:January 11, 2025, 17:15 IST
In a letter addressed to Trump, Newsom, a Democrat, urged the Republican leader not to "politicise a human tragedy" and to stop spreading "disinformation" about the wildfires
California Governor Gavin Newsom. (AP file photo)
California Governor Gavin Newsom invited US President-elect Donald Trump to visit the state and see the devastation caused by the wildfires ravaging Los Angeles. This invitation comes days after Trump blamed Newsom for the ongoing crisis and even called for his resignation.
In a letter addressed to Trump, Newsom, a Democrat, urged the Republican leader not to “politicise a human tragedy" and to stop spreading “disinformation" about the wildfires.
Newsom stressed that the tragedy, which has claimed at least 11 lives, should not be used for political gain but instead should be met with unity and cooperation.
The Governor pointed out the suffering faced by hundreds of thousands of people who have been displaced from their homes. He expressed that it is crucial for leaders to show solidarity in times of crisis and to focus on the needs of the victims, rather than engage in political finger-pointing.
“As you prepare to assume the presidency once more, I invite you to come to California," Newsom said in his letter. “The hundreds of thousands of Americans – displaced from their homes and fearful for the future – deserve to see us all working together in their best interests, not politicising a human tragedy and spreading disinformation from the sidelines."
Newsom’s letter also comes after Trump, a vocal critic of the governor, had attributed the fires to the lack of water in Southern California.
The US President-elect claimed that Newsom’s refusal to sign a water restoration declaration had contributed to the disaster, alleging that the governor chose to protect a “worthless fish" — the smelt — over the welfare of the people of California, India Today reported.
In his remarks, Trump, referring to Newsom as “Newscum," said, “The governor 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."
“He wanted to protect an essentially worthless fish called a smelt, by giving it less water (it didn’t work!), but didn’t care about the people of California," Trump added.
Location :United States of America (USA)
First Published:January 11, 2025, 17:01 IST
News world 'Not Politicising Human Tragedy': California Governor Invites Trump To Visit Wildfire Victims After Jibe
