'Democrat-Inspired Scam': Trump Says $100 Million For LA Wildfire Victims ‘Missing'
The FireAid concert that raised $100 million for the devastating January wildfires in California has come under fire after some people complained they had not received benefits.
US President Donald Trump launched a scathing attack on California wildfire relief efforts, calling the star-studded FireAid concert that raised $100 million for the devastating January wildfires in California, Los Angeles, 'another Democrat-inspired scam".
This came after FireAid came under fire for how the money was spent after civilians who lost their properties claimed that they did not receive a single penny from the concert, which billed itself as a 'benefit concert for wildfire victims".
At least 30-31 people are believed to have been killed, and more than 18,000 houses were destroyed in California after the devastating series of wildfires – fuelled by the powerful Santa Ana winds – spread rapidly through urban and suburban areas. It is estimated to have cost at least $76-130 billion in damages.
FireAid Controversy
The FireAid event itself, hosted across the Kia Forum and Intuit Dome arenas in Inglewood, was a star-studded event, with performances from the likes of Lady Gaga, No Doubt, John Mayer, Olivia Rodrigo and other A-listers, to raise funds for the victims of the wildfires.
Broadcast worldwide across a variety of platforms, from AMC Theatres to YouTube, the concert brought together music lovers from all corners of the globe, joining in solidarity for relief during the devastating LA wildfires. The funds were distributed primarily through grants to nearly 188 non-profit organisations providing emergency relief services such as housing, food, mental health support, and wildfire prevention efforts.
However, some people claimed that they received no benefits from the concert. 'I have not seen any benefit from the FireAid money, and I am very involved here and neither have my neighbours," David Howard, who lost two homes in Pacific Palisades, told Fox News.
'The fire aid was for us. So, we figured where is the money? Where is it going?" said another victim, Mark Jones. Last week, the charity said that 'FireAid does not have the capability to make direct payments to individuals and that was never the plan" and that it was partnered with trusted local non-profits, sparking outrage.
In response to these claims, Representative Kevin Kiley penned a letter urging the Department of Justice to investigate the matter. However, several recipient organisations said they received funds and publicly defended FireAid.
Michael Flood, CEO of the LA Regional Food Bank, told the Los Angeles Times that FireAid was very helpful when demand for food assistance surged by 30% due to the devastation caused by wildfires in the Pacific Palisades and Altadena. 'It was especially high in January through March as so many people were displaced and lost power and water," he added.
Although aid groups have praised the efforts, the accusations have reignited political controversy surrounding the state's management of wildfire relief, emergency response, and the transparency of charitable fund distribution.
tags :
donald trump los angeles wildfires
view comments
Location :
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
First Published:
July 26, 2025, 16:14 IST
News world 'Democrat-Inspired Scam': Trump Says $100 Million For LA Wildfire Victims 'Missing'
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Johnny Depp surprises fans at Alice Cooper's concert for emotional Ozzy Osbourne tribute in London
Johnny Depp surprised everyone by coming back to the stage with Alice Cooper for a night of rock that people will never forget. The emotional show, which took place just days after Ozzy Osbourne's death, left the audience in London speechless. It wasn't just a concert; it was a tribute, a celebration, and a goodbye to a rock legend. And Depp's presence only made the moment more magical. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category MCA Leadership MBA Management Data Science Operations Management Degree others CXO Artificial Intelligence Finance Cybersecurity Digital Marketing Data Science Public Policy Design Thinking Data Analytics Product Management Technology healthcare Healthcare PGDM Project Management Others Skills you'll gain: Programming Proficiency Data Handling & Analysis Cybersecurity Awareness & Skills Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Duration: 24 Months Vellore Institute of Technology VIT Master of Computer Applications Starts on Aug 14, 2024 Get Details How did Johnny Depp honor Ozzy on stage? by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like War Thunder - Register now for free and play against over 75 Million real Players War Thunder Play Now Undo On July 25, Johnny Depp shocked fans by showing up at Alice Cooper's concert in London and singing Black Sabbath's "Paranoid" in honor of Ozzy Osbourne. Depp joined Cooper on stage just days after Osbourne died, wearing his trademark bandana and sunglasses. It was a touching and memorable rock tribute, as per a report by People. ALSO READ: National chicken finger day: Here's how to get a free chicken finger this July 27 Wearing sunglasses and a Captain Jack-style scarf, the "Pirates of the Caribbean" star rocked out with Cooper and his band on his guitar, playing Black Sabbath's 1970 hit song "Paranoid" to a boisterous crowd. Live Events According to YouTube videos of the concert, Cooper, wearing an Osbourne T-shirt, later threw his fist in the air as the song ended. The performance took place during Cooper's sold-out London show with Judas Priest, which coincided with the release of The Revenge of Alice Cooper, the Alice Cooper band's first new album in more than 50 years. ALSO READ : Ozzy funeral: Where does Sharon Osbourne want to bury the iconic singer? Here's the place she has identified Cooper and Depp play together in the band The Hollywood Vampires. According to another social media video, Cooper mockingly introduced Depp as "some guy we found out in the alley that said something about vampires" while the audience erupted. "Here's for Ozzy!" As they concluded the song, Cooper, sporting an Osbourne T-shirt, yelled at the audience. Following the Osbourne tribute, the actor, who is making a comeback to Hollywood with the upcoming thriller "Day Drinker" starring Penélope Cruz, remained to perform the Alice Cooper classic "School's Out" with the band. How did fans react to his special appearance? "Lovely tribute last night to Ozzy by Alice Cooper featuring Johnny Depp," someone commented on social media alongside a video of the performance. "I saw Johnny Depp last night in London," another user wrote on X. 'I was at the Alice Cooper show when he unexpectedly showed up. I was ecstatic,' the user stated. Another social media video showed Cooper jokingly introducing Depp as "some guy we found out in the alley that said something about vampires" while the crowd erupted, as quoted in a report by Fox News. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alice Cooper (@alicecooper) After battling several health conditions, including Parkinson's disease, which he disclosed in 2022, Osbourne passed away on Tuesday at the age of 76. The night Osbourne passed away, Cooper told his band backstage before a performance in Cardiff, Wales, "Everybody in, this one's for Oz tonight," in a video he posted to Instagram. FAQs Why did Johnny Depp perform at Alice Cooper's concert? He joined Cooper in honoring their friend Ozzy Osbourne, who had died just days before. What song did they perform for Ozzy Osbourne? In tribute, Depp and Cooper performed Black Sabbath's iconic song "Paranoid.'
The Print
3 hours ago
- The Print
Mohanlal embraces his feminine side—in a jewellery ad that redefines masculinity
Instead, the ad focuses on strong visual storytelling, showing Mohanlal gracefully embracing his feminine energy by adorning himself with jewellery. The powerful visuals need no voiceover, no tagline, and no melodrama to make its point. The latest campaign for Vinsmera Jewels breaks away from all the familiar tropes of traditional jewellery ads. There isn't any ideal daughter, blushing bride, proud father or monologues on feminism. Malayalam superstar Mohanlal is earning applause on social media for his standout performance in a new jewellery commercial. It's a refreshing shift from the usual gendered storytelling in jewellery advertising. Directed by filmmaker Prakash Varma, the commercial opens on a film set. Amid the hustle and bustle of introductions, Mohanlal slips away with an intricate jewellery set and heads to his vanity van. As the crew begins a search for the missing jewellery, the camera cuts to Mohanlal, who is seen wearing the necklace, rings, and bracelet, paired with a black shirt and trousers. He admires his features in the mirror as traditional music plays in the background. When the director enters Mohanlal's van, shocked, the actor simply bursts into laughter. An unconventional approach The commercial struck a chord with the audiences, who praised Mohanlal for putting up a quiet act of rebellion. The video has clocked over 2.3 million views and over five thousand comments on YouTube. Rather than seeking approval, the plot of the advertisement focuses more on self-acceptance. After all, the biggest battle is not the one we fight against the world, but the one that we fight with ourselves. And that is where the commercial succeeds over traditional jewellery marketing. It stirs emotions instead of delivering monologues, because visuals have a long and lasting impact. It didn't go for the tried and tested backdrops of weddings. Basically, it was totally unconventional and that is what took the audience by surprise. Also, the brand isn't promoting a product in your face. It's simply putting out the thought that beauty isn't about conformity, but about embracing what speaks to your soul, and jewellery is just a medium for it. Also read: CEAT to Bajaj Insurance—Shubman Gill is new poster boy of ads. Why it can also hit his brand Double standards At first glance, the flood of praise under Mohanlal's recent video might make you believe that society is finally embracing the LGBTQ+ community. But scratch the surface, and the reality is anything but progressive. One influencer rightly pointed out the hypocrisy: when a regular creator wears jewellery or dresses femininely, trolls are quick to tear them apart. But when superstar Mohanlal, who is known to be a macho Malayalam actor, does the same, it becomes 'iconic.' To this, internet users were quick to issue clarification stating that they don't celebrate the ad's message, instead they just applaud Mohanlal's acting spectrum. One user wrote, 'He's an actor. He's done mighty masculine roles like Mangalassery Neelakandan. People are praising his range of acting.' While another said, 'I don't know about others, but trust me homie, I hate that f*****g ad and you equally from the bottom of my heart.' These reactions are testament to the fact that we still have a long way to go in embracing fluidity, when it isn't wrapped in stardom. That said, one cannot unsee that the ad has sparked a larger conversation — about beauty, gender, performance, and the weight of public perception. Whether seen for its message, the rebellion, or simply Mohanlal's acting, the commercial dares to ask a quiet question in a noisy world: Who defines beauty and why? And, maybe that is what makes it unforgettable. Not because it shouts, but because it doesn't have to. Brand: Vinsmera Jewels Creatives: In-house Director: Prakash Varma Views are personal. (Edited by Aamaan Alam Khan)
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Aamir Khan's film goes pay-per-view on YouTube, gives OTT giants a miss
Mumbai: Aamir Khan Productions has partnered with YouTube to release Sitaare Zameen Par on a pay-per-view basis in a potentially significant move, said people familiar with the development. This marks the first time in recent memory a Hindi film featuring a major star has not been licensed to a dominant subscription video-on-demand ( SVOD ) platform such as Netflix, Prime Video or JioHotstar, opting instead for a pay-per-view strategy via the world's largest video platform. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Technology Artificial Intelligence CXO Project Management Degree healthcare MCA Digital Marketing Public Policy Leadership Design Thinking Operations Management Data Analytics Data Science MBA Finance others Cybersecurity Management PGDM Product Management Healthcare Data Science Others Skills you'll gain: Duration: 12 Weeks MIT xPRO CERT-MIT XPRO Building AI Prod India Starts on undefined Get Details Industry sources say Aamir Khan is tapping into the pay-per-view window, which has been a phenomenon globally but remains underutilised in India. However, they noted that it's still unclear how long he will delay the SVOD release following the pay-per-view window. Aamir Khan Productions and YouTube declined to comment. The film is likely to move to YouTube early next month. While the industry typically follows an eight-week window for streaming on SVOD platforms, Khan recently said that all his films will follow a six-month theatrical run to protect box office revenues. The film was released on June 20 in theatres. "It's a bold move by an A-list star, and all eyes will be on how much the film can earn from pay-per-view, as well as how long Aamir Khan plans to keep it there before releasing it on an SVOD platform," said Shariq Patel, former CEO of Zee Studios. Film is expected to be priced at ₹99. Netflix and Prime Video continue to dominate India's post-theatrical streaming market. According to Media Partners Asia, producers' streaming revenues have grown to 1.5 times their net theatrical share, making it a critical monetisation channel. However, the FICCI-EY 2025 report shows that streaming rights revenue in India fell to ₹3,100 crore, down from ₹3,500 crore in 2023 and ₹3,300 crore in 2022, as platforms cut back on content spending in pursuit of profitability. Still, not everyone sees this as a replicable model. Abundantia Entertainment CEO Vikram Malhotra noted that such an approach may work better for mid-budget films than big-budget ones, which often depend on upfront OTT deals for financial recovery. "Therefore, it's unlikely to serve as a viable financial model across the board, especially for films with higher break-even points. That said, it's an interesting and important experiment whose impact and sustainability will become clearer over time," he said. Suniel Wadhwa, a veteran distributor, cofounder and director of Karmic Films, said: " Film distribution through YouTube may not be remunerative for all actors or producers. It is a long-gestation affair. It will work only for well-established or A-list actors who have a huge or unique following. Besides this, it will be a practical alternative only for producers who have capacity to wait and earn revenues in the long-term." Sitaare Zameen Par is said to have been made on a budget of under ₹100 crore. As an in-house production, Khan has reportedly waived his fee, potentially making the model more viable. The film has collected ₹166.2 crore in India and ₹263.7 crore worldwide, according to box office tracker Sacnilk. Malhotra added that while the pay-per-view model has been tried before, it hasn't gained traction, largely because audiences favour subscription platforms offering a wider content library. Ajay Phutane, a veteran of film distribution and marketing, said digital distribution is becoming increasingly important as theatre footfalls decline post-pandemic. "The fall in theatrical viewership is directly tied to the rise in digital subscribers," he said. "A ₹99 pay-per-view release on YouTube is a significant step, especially given its vast reach. With many single screens shut and limited theatres in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, YouTube offers a more economical and convenient alternative as viewers can watch at their own time, place, and pace."
