Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis called out a reporter on Thursday for the lack of blame being placed on California leaders for the devastating wildfires, pointing out that it’s in stark contrast to how Republican leaders are often treated in the wake of disasters.
DeSantis, and all other Republican governors, had just wrapped up a 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 be asking another governor if it was appropriate for Trump to criticize Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom as deadly wildfires rage throughout the state.
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis asked for balance in how some media cover Republican and Democrat leaders when natural disasters take place in their states, pointing out a difference in where blame is placed. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
The question prompted DeSantis to step forward and ask, “Is it appropriate for people in your industry to try to create division and to try to create narratives any time these things happen?”
“Now, you’re not as interested in doing that because Newsom is a D. If Newsom was a Republican, you guys would go try … you would have him nailed to the wall for what they’re doing over there,” he continued.
Tanner Charles Schaaf shared photos of the home he ran from with his friend during the California wildfires. (Tanner Charles Schaaf)
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The Florida governor, who has managed multiple disasters during his tenure, said he has often been criticized for things that were out of his control and has been blamed for incidents before the facts came out, referencing the 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 much differently for her trip to Ghana while fires were high risk if she were a Republican.
“You should have been there preparing and doing that, and yet I don’t see a lot of heat being directed [toward her],” DeSantis said. “I’d like to see some balance on how this is done. You can criticize the president-elect, but you also have to hold these other people accountable, and I have not seen that.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass toured the downtown business district of the Pacific Palisades neighborhood as the Palisades Fire continued to burn on Jan. 8. (Eric Thayer/Getty Images)
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Bass returned to Los Angeles on Wednesday, and didn’t have much to say to the residents of her city outside of news conferences. While waiting to deplane, she gave the cold shoulder to Sky News reporter David Blevins, who was asking her if she had anything to say about the devastating fires.
“No apology to them? Do you think you should have been visiting Ghana while this was unfolding back home?” Blevins asked as Bass continued to look at the ground.
“Madam mayor, let me ask you just again, have you anything to say to the citizens today as you return?” he said.
A 2021 tweet by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass where she criticized Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, for leaving his state during a deadly freeze came back to haunt her this week as she was in Ghana while wildfires broke out in Los Angeles County, despite there being a high-risk warning before she left. (AP Photo/Nic Coury/X)
As multiple wildfires rage on 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 by $17 million.
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The wildfires have claimed at least 10 lives since they broke out on Tuesday, scorching more than 35,800 acres total and destroying thousands of homes and businesses.
The 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 the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire – the two largest of the group – as they sit at 6% contained and 0% contained, respectively, on Thursday evening, according to data by CAL FIRE.
