Trump proposes potential denial of disaster aid for California due to his ongoing disagreement with Newsom.
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In a dramatic twist, President Donald Trump is threatening to withhold disaster aid for the victims of the 2020 wildfires in California, using his personal grudge against Governor Gavin Newsom as leverage.
Speaking to journalists outside the White House, Trump showed no remorse for the humanitarian crisis, stating that his feud with Newsom could potentially affect California's plea for $40 billion in wildfire relief.
"Look, it could happen," Trump said bluntly, adding that "negative vibes certainly don't help when it's time to motor the moolah." He even went so far as to call Newsom "Newscum" during the conversation, a moniker he's been using to ridicule the governor.
Tensions between the two leaders have escalated significantly, with Newsom filing a lawsuit to halt Trump's deployment of military forces in Los Angeles amid immigration protests. The governor has also been vocal on social media and in interviews, accusing Trump of authoritarian tactics.
Last week, Newsom took to the social platform X to respond to Trump's belligerent threat. "Using disaster victims as pawns in a game of ego doesn't become a leader, it exposes them as self-serving and callous," he wrote, decrying the idea of using aid as a puzzle piece in a political power game.
California received initial aid from the Biden administration after the fires began, but they are still waiting for the Trump administration's approval for additional funds. The state's request for $40 billion in long-term recovery funds is making its way through Congress, and experts predict it may land on the president’s desk towards the end of the year.
Governor Newsom's approach to Trump has evolved over time, initially taking on a more conciliatory tone as he sought disaster relief for his state. However, that dynamic changed when Trump announced import tariffs that threatened California's vital international trade market. The situation deteriorated further when Trump petitioned to mobilize thousands of National Guard troops and hundreds of Marines to quell the unrest in Los Angeles against Newsom's wishes.
Analysts point out that while emergency funds during the actual fire events are generally approved regardless of political disputes, the $40 billion recovery package faces an uphill battle, particularly given the current Republican control of Congress and the personal animosity between Trump and Newsom.
This toxic political climate greatly increases the chances that the full amount requested by California might not be approved smoothly, potentially putting Newsom and the state at a distinct disadvantage compared to previous administrations.
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Source Material:
- The $40 billion disaster relief requested by California for wildfire recovery could potentially become entangled in the politics between President Donald Trump and Governor Gavin Newsom, as Trump suggested that their feud might impact his approval of the aid.
- The personal animosity between President Trump and Governor Newsom, along with the ongoing conflict over immigration protests and international trade issues, may influence the approval process for the $40 billion California wildfire recovery package in the Republican-controlled Congress.
- The politics between President Trump and Governor Newsom, escalating from immigration protests to trade disputes, could potentially put California at a disadvantage in securing disaster relief funds, as the $40 billion wildfire recovery package faces a challenging path in the current political climate.
