Trump Threatens California Over Water Policy

Former President Donald Trump has threatened to withhold federal wildfire aid from California if Governor Gavin Newsom does not revise state water policies to divert more water to farmers, a move that has sparked significant controversy. Speaking at his Rancho Palos Verdes golf course, Trump repeatedly criticized Newsom, whom he referred to derogatorily as 'Newscum,' and blamed him for the state's water shortages and ongoing wildfires. Newsom responded on social media, warning that Trump's threats could extend beyond California to other states facing natural disasters. Environmental regulations protecting endangered species like the Delta smelt have been a longstanding point of contention between the two, with Trump advocating for more water to be allocated to agriculture. Trump's comments have drawn widespread criticism, including from business leaders who highlight California's significant contribution to the national economy. The debate underscores the broader political and environmental conflicts surrounding resource management in California.