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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis A reporter called out the lack of blame on California leaders for the devastating wildfires Thursday, noting that it contrasts with how Republican leaders are often treated after disasters.
DeSantis, and every other Republican governor, had just finished one dinner with President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Thursday evening when the heated exchange with a reporter took place.
The reporter appeared to ask another governor whether it was appropriate for Trump to criticize California’s Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, as deadly wildfires raged across the state.
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis called for balance in how some media outlets cover Republican and Democratic leaders when natural disasters strike their states, pointing to a difference in where blame is placed. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
The question led DeSantis to step forward and ask, “Is it appropriate for people in your industry to try to create division and try to create narratives every time these things happen?”
“Now, you’re not so interested in doing that because Newsom is D. If Newsom was a Republican, you guys would go and try … drive him to the wall for what they’re doing there.” he continued
Tanner Charles Schaaf shared photos of the home he fled with his friend during the California wildfires. (Tanner Charles Schaaf)
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The Florida governor, who has dealt with multiple disasters during his tenure, said he has often been criticized for things beyond his control and blamed for incidents before the facts were known, citing at 2021 Surfside condominium collapse.
“I think your track record of politicizing these things is very, very bad,” DeSantis said.
He said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass would be treated very differently for her trip to Ghana, while the fires were high risk if she were a Republican.
“You should have been there preparing and doing it, and yet I don’t see a lot of heat directed (at 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 hold these other people accountable, and I haven’t seen that.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass toured the downtown Pacific Palisades neighborhood as the Palisades Fire continued to burn on January 8. (Eric Thayer/Getty Images)
Bass returned to Los Angeles on Wednesday and didn’t have much to say to residents of his city outside of press conferences. While waiting to disembark, she he gave the cold shoulder to Sky News reporter David Blevins, who asked him if he had anything to say about the devastating fires.
“No apology for them? Do you think you should have been visiting Ghana while this was going on at home?” Blevins asked as Bass continued to stare at the ground.
“Madame Mayor, allow me to ask you again if you have anything to say to the citizens today when you return?” he said
A 2021 tweet by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in which she criticized Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, for leaving her state during a deadly freeze came back to haunt her this week as she was in Ghana as wildfires raged in Los Angeles County. even though there was a high risk warning before we left. (AP Photo/Nic Coury/X)
As multiple wildfires rage in Los Angeles County, California residents have been criticizing both Newsom and Bass for past decisions related to fire prevention efforts, including Bass’ decision to cut the LAFD budget at $17 million.
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The wildfires have claimed at least 10 lives since they broke out on Tuesday, burning more than 35,800 hectares in total and destroying thousands of homes and businesses.
Wildfires in California have left at least 10 people dead and destroyed more than 10,000 structures. (Tanner Charles Schaaf)
Firefighters were still struggling to contain it Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire – the two largest of the group – as they sit at 6% contained and 0% contained, respectively, as of Thursday evening, according to CAL FIRE data.
