President Trump has seeminglyreignited his feudwith California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) over proceeds from the California FireAid concert, arguing that $100 million in donations intended for Los Angeles residents who were affected by the January fires is "missing." "'FIREAID' IS A TOTAL DISASTER. LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER DEMOCRAT INSPIRED SCAM. 100 MILLION DOLLARS IS MISSING. WAS SUPPOSED TO GO TO THE LOS ANGELES FIRE VICTIMS, FIRES THAT, WITH PROPER MANAGEMENT, WOULD NEVER HAVE EVEN HAPPENED. GOVERNOR NEWSCUM REFUSED TO RELEASE BILLIONS OF GALLONS OF WATER FROM NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, AND THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST," Trumpwrote Friday eveningon Truth Social. "WHAT A DIFFERENCE IT WOULD HAVE MADE," he added. FireAid was aone-night concertdescribed as an event to raise money for residents that lost their homes during thedevastating wildfiresin Los Angelesearlier this year. The fundraising concert featured stars such as Olivia Rodrigo, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga, along with some victims of the Palisades and Altadena blazes. The distribution of the funds has come under scrutiny. FireAid raised around $100 million so far,accordingto the event's website. In astatementto the city's Fox affiliate, the charity said it does not "have the capability to make direct payments to individuals and that was never the plan. We partnered directly with trusted local non-profits…to reach communities in need." Actor Miles Teller said during the event that "all the money raised will go directly to people who need it now and long-term efforts to build it back,"accordingto Fox News. Trump took a jab at Newsom, writing Friday evening that he has since "OVERRULED HIM, AND IT IS NOW RELEASED." "All FEDERAL HOUSING PERMITS HAVE ALSO BEEN APPROVED, THE CITY IS YEARS LATE," he said. "GET THE FIRE VICTIMS THEIR APPROVALS TO REBUILD, AND DO IT NOW!" The president has repeatedlyclashedwith Newsom since beginning his second term, including hammering the governor over California'sresponseto the Los Angeles County wildfires — while also threatening to hold backfederal emergency funding. Before returning to the Oval Office, he specifically criticized Newsom for not signing a declaration topump more waterthrough the state to prevent the situation. More recently, the duo has sparred over Trump'srobust immigration agendaas an uptick in raids and deportations hassparked proteststhroughout the Golden State and beyond. Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.)is now callingfor an investigation into the distribution of funds to victims of the wildfires. "We want people to understand that there's been a thoughtful process behind this, and our top priority was trying to do what people needed, and do what's best for fire survivors," Lisa Cleri Reale, a member of FireAid's grant advisory committee,toldThe Los Angeles Times. The devastation from the wildfires waspredicted to costmore than $50 billion. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
