Trump threatens to withhold California fire aid over Newsom"s response

Former President Trump criticized California's governance during a recent event at his golf course in Rancho Palos Verdes, where he painted a bleak picture of the state, claiming it was plagued by crime and mismanagement. He threatened to withhold federal firefighting aid unless Governor Gavin Newsom enacted his policy priorities, referring to him derogatorily as 'Newscum.' Newsom responded by accusing Trump of self-interest, stating that he does not care about the country. Despite losing California by a significant margin in the 2020 election, Trump expressed confidence that he could win the state if votes were counted fairly, alleging a dishonest voting system. He also made promises regarding water supply improvements for farmers, claiming that they would have access to more water than ever before. Trump's remarks came amid a state of emergency in California due to extreme land movement, which has led to evacuation warnings in neighborhoods near his golf course. His event was characterized as defensive and incoherent, reflecting his ongoing struggles in the political arena. The former president's comments were made in the context of a fundraiser he was scheduled to attend, hosted by relatives of Newsom's wife. This juxtaposition of political rivalry and personal connections highlights the complex dynamics at play in California's political landscape.