President-elect Donald Trump is planning a trip to Los Angeles to observe the wildfire damage, according to several reports.
Trump has yet to visit the sites of California’s wildfires, which have led to at least 24 deaths and thousands of homes and other structures being burned to the ground.
NBC News reported that Trump’s team is “engaged in conversations” about making the trip. The Wall Street Journal reported that the visit is expected as soon as next week.
The visit could be an early test of Trump’s leadership skills as he enters office on Jan. 20. President Joe Biden has kept in communication with Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) and has promised considerable financial support for the state, saying the federal government will cover 100% of the costs of California’s fire damage for 180 days.
Trump has a contentious relationship with Newsom, calling him “incompetent” in the wake of the fires.
“The fires are still raging in L.A. The incompetent pols have no idea how to put them out,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Sunday. “Thousands of magnificent houses are gone, and many more will soon be lost. There is death all over the place. This is one of the worst catastrophes in the history of our Country. They just can’t put out the fires. What’s wrong with them?”
Newsom has invited Trump to go to California and not to “politicize” a human tragedy. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who has been heavily scrutinized for being away from the area when the fires broke out, also said she invited the president-elect to survey the damage.
Tagging Trump on X, Newsom wrote, “As you prepare to assume the presidency once more, I invite you to come to California. The hundreds of thousands of Americans – displaced from their homes and fearful for the future – deserve to see us all working together in their best interests, not politicizing a human tragedy and spreading disinformation from the sidelines.”
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Trump’s team is reportedly aware that a presidential visit involves a large footprint and that his advisers want to be sure his presence will not disrupt firefighting efforts.
The Washington Examiner reached out to the Trump transition team for comment but did not receive a response.