President Trump has seemingly reignited his feud with California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) over proceeds from the California FireAid live performance, arguing that $100 million in donations meant for Los Angeles residents who have been affected by the January fires is “lacking.”
“‘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. GOVERNOR NEWSCUM REFUSED TO RELEASE BILLIONS OF GALLONS OF WATER FROM NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, AND THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST,” Trump wrote Friday evening on Fact Social.
“WHAT A DIFFERENCE IT WOULD HAVE MADE,” he added.
FireAid was a one-night concert described as an occasion to lift cash for residents that misplaced their properties throughout the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles earlier this year. The fundraising live performance featured stars akin to Olivia Rodrigo, Katy Perry and Woman Gaga, together with some victims of the Palisades and Altadena blazes.
The distribution of the funds has come underneath scrutiny.
FireAid raised round $100 million to this point, according to the occasion’s web site.
In a statement to the town’s Fox affiliate, the charity mentioned it doesn’t “have the potential to make direct funds to people and that was by no means the plan. We partnered straight with trusted native non-profits…to succeed in communities in want.”
Actor Miles Teller mentioned throughout the occasion that “all the cash raised will go on to individuals who want it now and long-term efforts to construct it again,” according to Fox Information.
Trump took a jab at Newsom, writing Friday night that he has since “OVERRULED HIM, AND IT IS NOW RELEASED.”
“All FEDERAL HOUSING PERMITS HAVE ALSO BEEN APPROVED, THE CITY IS YEARS LATE,” he mentioned. “GET THE FIRE VICTIMS THEIR APPROVALS TO REBUILD, AND DO IT NOW!”
The president has repeatedly clashed with Newsom since starting his second time period, together with hammering the governor over California’s response to the Los Angeles County wildfires — whereas additionally threatening to carry again federal emergency funding. Earlier than returning to the Oval Workplace, he particularly criticized Newsom for not signing a declaration to pump more water by means of the state to forestall the state of affairs.
Extra not too long ago, the duo has sparred over Trump’s robust immigration agenda as an uptick in raids and deportations has sparked protests all through the Golden State and past.
Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.) is now calling for an investigation into the distribution of funds to victims of the wildfires.
“We wish folks to grasp that there’s been a considerate course of behind this, and our prime precedence was making an attempt to do what folks wanted, and do what’s finest for hearth survivors,” Lisa Cleri Reale, a member of FireAid’s grant advisory committee, told The Los Angeles Instances.
The devastation from the wildfires was predicted to cost greater than $50 billion.