California Governor Gavin Newsom has recently accused President Donald Trump of disseminating “misinformation” regarding the state’s water supply challenges in the context of the ongoing wildfires. Newsom asserted that there is no simple solution, or “spigot,” that can be turned to address California’s water issues. In contrast, Trump and other Republican figures have attributed the crisis to what they describe as ineffective leadership from California Democrats.
In the aftermath of the Palisades Fire, firefighters encountered difficulties when they discovered that hydrants lacked adequate water pressure for their hoses. Furthermore, the Santa Ynez Reservoir, which is managed by the city of Los Angeles, has a capacity of 117 million gallons but was rendered inoperable due to maintenance requirements.
Trump has previously suggested that Southern California’s water shortages stem from its reluctance to divert water from northern sources, citing concerns for the delta smelt, a protected fish species. In response to these remarks, Newsom has emphasized the complexity of California’s water issues, arguing against the notion of a straightforward remedy.
“It is very damaging when people believe such misinformation. I don’t mean it in a malign sense. Maybe the President just doesn’t know that there’s not a spigot that can be turned to solve all the water problems that he alleges exist, that don’t exist, as it relates to [the] state water system here in California,” Newsom stated in a recent interview.
During a 2024 episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Trump discussed the water crisis while addressing wildfire risks. He remarked, “They said, ‘We have no water.’ I said, do you have a drought? ‘No, we don’t have a drought.’ I said, why do you have no water? ‘Because the water isn’t allowed to flow down.’”
He further elaborated, “It’s got a natural flow from Canada all the way up north, more water than they could ever use. And in order to protect a tiny little fish, the water up north gets routed into the Pacific Ocean. Millions and millions of gallons of…”
He remarked, “I could provide water for the entirety of that land, including water for your forests…. You are aware that your forests are extremely dry.” Trump emphasized the necessity for the state to enhance its efforts in eliminating combustible underbrush from its forests, claiming, “They are prohibited from raking their forests because touching them is not permitted.” He further stated, “All they need to do is maintain their forests, which involves raking up and removing the leaves that have been accumulating for five years.”
The Tribune also reported on a separate occasion where Newsom criticized Trump for allegedly politicizing the wildfires. “I would prefer for him to visit and comprehend the scale of this situation, to understand what has transpired for the American people living here in California, and to approach it with an open hand rather than a closed fist. I have no interest in politicizing this event,” Newsom expressed.
