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Hindustan Times
26-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Trump blasts California wildfire aid, questions missing $100 million FireAid money
Donald Trump blasted California's wildfire relief efforts and took aim at the FireAid benefit concert that raised $100 million for victims of the January wildfires. Trump called it 'another Democrat-inspired scam.' Donald Trump blasted FireAid benefit concert that raised $100 million for victims of the January wildfires.(Bloomberg) FireAid had promoted itself as a major fundraiser to support people affected by the Los Angeles fires, but some wildfire victims said they never received any help from the concert. Posting on Truth Social, Trump said, 'FIREAID IS A TOTAL DISASTER. LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER DEMOCRAT INSPIRED SCAM. 100 MILLION DOLLARS IS MISSING. WAS SUPPOSED TO TO GO TO THE LOS ANGELES FIRE VICTIMS, FIRES THAT, WITH PROPER MANAGEMENT, WOULD NEVER HAVE EVEN HAPPENED.' Also Read: Wildfires force evacuations at two national parks in the western US Trump also criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom, writing, 'GOVERNOR NEWSCUM REFUSED TO RELEASE BILLIONS OF GALLONS OF WATER FROM NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, AND THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. WHAT A DIFFERENCE IT WOULD HAVE MADE! I HAVE SINCE OVERRULED HIM, AND IT IS NOW RELEASED. All FEDERAL HOUSING PERMITS HAVE ALSO BEEN APPROVED, THE CITY IS YEARS LATE. GET THE FIRE VICTIMS THEIR APPROVALS TO REBUILD, AND DO IT NOW!' The wildfires in California killed over 30 people and destroyed more than 18000 homes. Fueled by strong Santa Ana winds, the fires quickly spread in city and rural areas. The total damage was estimated between $76 to $130 billion, according to a UCLA report. What happened at FireAid ? FireAid took place at the Kia Forum and Intuit Dome arenas in Inglewood. The benefit concert featured big names like Lady Gaga, No Doubt, John Mayer, and Olivia Rodrigo. It aired on platforms like AMC Theatres and YouTube, and it brought in viewers from all over the world. The $100 million raised was given to about 188 non-profits helping with emergency housing, food, mental health, and fire prevention. However, some of the victims said they never saw any of the money. David Howard, who lost two homes in Pacific Palisades, told Fox News, 'I have not seen any benefit from the FireAid money, and I am very involved here and neither have my neighbours.' Mark Jones, another wildfire victim, added, 'The fire aid was for us. So, we figured where is the money? Where is it going?' FireAid later said it never planned to make direct payments to people and worked with trusted local non-profits instead. Also Read: Coachella Valley 'Shady' fire: Brush fire erupts in Thermal near Indio - Check map and updates Kevin Kiley asks for an investigation In response, Representative Kevin Kiley wrote to the Department of Justice asking for an investigation. Meanwhile, some non-profits defended FireAid. Michael Flood, head of the LA Regional Food Bank, said the money helped a lot when food demand went up by 30 percent. 'It was especially high in January through March as so many people were displaced and lost power and water,' he told the Los Angeles Times. Even though many aid groups praised the support they got, the complaints have added fuel to the ongoing debate over how California handles wildfires, relief efforts, and how transparent big charity drives really are.
News18
26-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
'Democrat-Inspired Scam': Trump Says $100 Million For LA Wildfire Victims ‘Missing'
Last Updated: 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.
Indian Express
26-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Trump calls FireAid a ‘scam', alleges mismanagement of $100M wildfire relief fund
United States President Donald Trump has accused California officials and FireAid organisers of mishandling funds meant for the victims of the devastating January 2025 wildfires. In a Truth Social post, Trump described FireAid as a 'total disaster', alleging that the $100 million raised for Los Angeles-area fire victims have gone missing. He wrote: 'FireAid is a total disaster. Looks like another Democrat-inspired scam. 100 million dollars is missing… fires that, with proper management, would never have even happened.' Trump also criticised California Governor Gavin Newsom, referring to him as 'Governor Newscum', for alleged failures in water management during the wildfire crisis. The president's remarks follow a series of fast-moving wildfires that swept through Southern California in January, a rare occurrence during the winter season. Reportedly, factors such as unusually dry conditions, Santa Ana winds, and power lines damaged by gusts fuelled the deadly blazes. As reported by California Globe, in early January, the Eaton and Palisades wildfires raged across parts of Los Angeles. And by the time they were fully extinguished in late January, 31 people had died, over 18,000 structures were destroyed, and tens of thousands of residents were displaced with destroyed or damaged homes. Total property and home loses have been estimated to be between $76 billion and $131 billion, as per the report. FireAid was a high-profile benefit concert held on 30 January in Inglewood, California, to raise funds for the victims of the wildfires. Organised by the Annenberg Foundation and partners, it featured prominent artists like Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, and Olivia Rodrigo, raising approximately $100 million through ticket sales, donations, and sponsorships. 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. FireAid clarified that it does not make direct payments to individual victims but works with trusted non-profits to reach affected communities. While some fire survivors expressed frustration over not receiving direct aid, FireAid's grant-based approach aims to broadly support recovery and resilience. The remaining funds are earmarked for long-term recovery projects including wildfire mitigation and sustainable rebuilding in the affected areas. FireAid said it has distributed approximately $75 million so far in grants to 188 non-profits and plans to allocate the remaining $25 million by August towards long-term wildfire mitigation, environmental resilience, and sustainable rebuilding efforts. Although no fraud has been proven, California Congressman Kevin Kiley called on US Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate the relief effort. David Howard, when asked whether an investigation is warranted, replied, 'Yes. People need to know where this money went. That's the only way to rebuild trust.' (With inputs from California Globe)
