Trump's Misleading Water Claims Amid California Wildfires

California Wildfires and Trump's Water Misinformation

While firefighters continue to battle the devastating wildfires in California, President Trump has been making misleading statements about the state's water resources.

Trump claims that Los Angeles has "massive amounts of water available" and that they just need to "turn the valve" to access it. However, there is no evidence to support this claim. Media outlets have suggested that Trump might be referring to the Columbia River, which flows from Canada into the Pacific Ocean. However, there is currently no infrastructure to send that water southward.

Trump has also targeted the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, blaming California and the protection of the endangered Delta smelt fish for preventing water from flowing to Southern California. However, experts say that this is not the case. The state has argued that Trump's previous plan to direct water would harm the ecosystem and fish. Additionally, California has enough water flowing to the ocean to keep the delta fresh enough so that water can be exported to the south.

Despite warnings from locals, Trump has said that he would cut off wildfire aid in California if Governor Newsom refused to change policies related to water supply and smelt. This is a dangerous and irresponsible threat, especially considering the ongoing crisis in California.

It is important to note that Trump's statements about California's water resources are inaccurate and misleading. He is using this issue to score political points and to deflect blame from his own administration's failures. The people of California deserve better than this.