President Donald Trump dances at the conclusion of his Make America Great Again rally at ST Engineering in Pensacola, Florida, on Friday, Oct. 23, 2020.
California – President Trump reignited tensions with California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday, accusing the state of mishandling proceeds from the FireAid fundraising concert and claiming that $100 million meant for wildfire survivors has gone missing. His remarks, delivered in all caps on Truth Social, framed the event as a “Democrat inspired scam” and blamed Newsom for what he called mismanagement of both natural resources and aid distribution.
“FIREAID IS A TOTAL DISASTER,” Trump wrote, asserting that the funds raised for victims of the January wildfires in Los Angeles had not reached those in need. Without citing evidence, he claimed that “$100 MILLION DOLLARS IS MISSING” and suggested that the fires themselves could have been avoided had Newsom agreed to release “billions of gallons of water” from Northern California and the Pacific Northwest.
The FireAid concert, a one-night event that featured performances by Olivia Rodrigo, Katy Perry, and Lady Gaga, was organized to support families displaced by the Palisades and Altadena fires. The concert’s organizers say it raised approximately $100 million, which they have directed toward local non-profits rather than direct cash payments to individuals. “That was never the plan,” a spokesperson told a local Fox affiliate, emphasizing their partnerships with vetted community organizations to distribute aid.
Actor Miles Teller, who participated in the event, had previously said that “all the money raised will go directly to people who need it now and to long-term efforts to build it back.”
Despite these assurances, Trump declared on Friday that he had personally “overruled” Newsom, claiming that all federal housing permits related to the wildfire rebuilding effort had now been approved. “THE CITY IS YEARS LATE,” he wrote. “GET THE FIRE VICTIMS THEIR APPROVALS TO REBUILD, AND DO IT NOW!”
The president has made Newsom a frequent target since returning to office, often framing California’s challenges—from environmental policy to immigration enforcement—as examples of Democratic failure. Trump has previously threatened to withhold federal disaster relief and accused Newsom of resisting federal mandates intended to curb wildfires. Their ongoing clashes have increasingly blurred the lines between disaster response and political spectacle.
Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.) has since called for an investigation into FireAid’s finances, a move that further politicizes a disaster recovery effort already mired in public distrust. Yet officials involved with FireAid maintain that funds are being responsibly managed.
“Our top priority was trying to do what people needed,” said Lisa Cleri Reale of the FireAid grant advisory committee. “And do what’s best for fire survivors.”
With damage from the January wildfires estimated to exceed $50 billion, survivors are left navigating a confusing mix of federal promises, celebrity philanthropy, and partisan blame. What remains unclear is whether political posturing will accelerate relief—or simply prolong the recovery.
