Trump Visits California Fire Damage Amid Tensions with Governor Newsom

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — President Donald Trump arrived in Los Angeles on Friday, January 24, 2025, to survey fire damage in the Pacific Palisades and receive updates on recovery efforts. The visit marks his first trip since his inauguration and comes amid ongoing tensions with California Governor Gavin Newsom, who was notably absent from the president’s itinerary.

Trump’s schedule included a neighborhood tour and an emergency briefing with local officials, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and several congressional representatives. However, Governor Newsom, who had initially planned to greet the president on the tarmac, was not listed among the attendees. Newsom’s office claimed they were blindsided by the announcement of Trump’s visit details earlier in the day.

“I look forward to being there on the tarmac to thank the president, welcome him, and we’re making sure that all the resources he needs for a successful briefing are provided to him,” Newsom told reporters on Thursday. He added that he had not had direct contact with the White House but was “grateful that [Trump] took our invitation to heart.”

The president and Newsom have a history of public disputes. Trump has repeatedly blamed Newsom for the wildfires, claiming that water mismanagement exacerbated the crisis. “It could have been put out if they let the water flow, but they didn’t let the water flow, and they still haven’t, for whatever reason,” Trump said in a recent statement.

Newsom countered these claims, emphasizing the complexity of California’s water system. “It is very damaging when people believe such misinformation,” he said. “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.”

Trump’s visit also highlighted political divisions, as Democratic Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla declined invitations to attend due to Senate commitments. Schiff, a frequent target of Trump’s criticism, was reportedly invited by the White House, though Trump claimed he was unaware of the invitation. “If he’s going to be there, it would be cheaper, but I didn’t invite him. Somebody did,” Trump said before departing Washington, D.C.

The president’s itinerary included a tour of the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, Los Angeles Fire Department officials, and affected homeowners. Following the tour, Trump attended an emergency briefing with local and federal officials, including Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) and several Republican representatives.

Trump’s visit comes as California seeks federal aid for recovery efforts ahead of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. However, the president has hinted at withholding aid until the state addresses water management issues. “I don’t think we should give California anything until they let water flow down into their system,” Trump told Fox News‘ Sean Hannity earlier this week.

Despite the political friction, city and state officials remain hopeful for collaboration. “We are counting on massive federal aid for recovery efforts,” said a spokesperson for the governor’s office. “The claim that Governor Newsom refused to sign a water restoration declaration is pure fiction.”