Right-Wing Media Figures Oppose Wildfire Aid For California

Prominent right-wing media personalities are urging the federal government to withhold or impose conditions on aid for victims of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, blaming California's policies for the scale of the destruction and response, Liam Reilly reported for CNN.

Right-wing media personalities have adopted this politicized narrative, taking aim at California's progressive values. I Photo: CAL_FIRE_Official

As firefighters gradually bring the wildfires near Los Angeles under control and thousands of residents return to find their homes reduced to ashes, pro-Trump commentators are criticizing state and local officials for what they describe as "woke" policies contributing to the disaster.

On Fox News, hosts have adopted this politicized narrative, taking aim at California's progressive values.

Sean Hannity declared that the state doesn’t “deserve one federal dollar” due to its immigration policies and criticized its forest management.

Prime-time host Jesse Watters argued that California, with its higher state income tax rate, should be able to handle the situation independently but accused officials of mismanaging funds.

“Will American taxpayers rebuild L.A. without strings attached?” Watters asked his audience on Tuesday night.

“L.A. spent more on homelessness than on firefighters, and both problems are worsening. They lost $55 billion in COVID relief funds and $20 billion on a high-speed train that doesn’t go anywhere.”

Meanwhile, Glenn Beck of The Blaze attributed the wildfires to California’s homeless population and faulted the state for inadequate preparation for the extreme winds that exacerbated the flames.