The Michael Knowles Show: Episode 1648 - "Newsom & Bass Share Blame For FIRE DISASTER—Here’s Why"

Release Date: January 9, 2025

Introduction to the California Fire Disaster

Michael Knowles opens the episode by addressing the catastrophic wildfires engulfing Los Angeles, highlighting the destruction of over 1,000 buildings and the tragic loss of at least five lives. He critiques Governor Gavin Newsom’s handling of the situation, particularly focusing on the water crisis affecting firefighting efforts.

Notable Quote:

[00:00] Michael Knowles: "As Los Angeles burns to the ground. At least 1,000 buildings destroyed, at least five people dead so far. This is the message that Governor Gavin Newsom had for his constituents."

Governor Gavin Newsom’s Response and Criticism

Governor Gavin Newsom discusses the complexities of managing such large-scale fires, referencing the limitations of the current firefighting infrastructure and water supply issues.

Notable Quote:

[00:19] Gavin Newsom: "Local folks are trying to figure that out... those hydrants are typical for two or three fires. Maybe one fire, you have something at this scale."

Michael Knowles sharply criticizes Newsom for his perceived inaction and inability to effectively manage the crisis, juxtaposing his current role with his previous status as a presumptive presidential candidate.

Notable Quote:

[00:40] Michael Knowles: "One week ago, that man thought that he was going to be the next president of the United States. Now he's the governor whose most populous city is burning to the ground..."

Former President Donald Trump Blames Newsom

Michael Knowles references statements from Donald Trump, who holds Newsom accountable for the fires, citing Newsom’s refusal to authorize water restoration that could have mitigated the disaster.

Notable Quote:

[01:14] Michael Knowles: "President Trump is blaming Gavin Newsom for the fires in Los Angeles... 'He didn't care about the people of California. Now the ultimate price is being paid.'"

Newsom’s Rebuttal and Biden’s Stance

In response to Trump’s accusations, Gavin Newsom emphasizes the non-political nature of the crisis and his commitment to public safety, distancing himself from politicizing the disaster.

Notable Quote:

[03:37] Gavin Newsom: "We're in the public safety phase... People have lost their lives, kids lost their schools... I stood next to President Joe Biden today..."

Knowles counters by asserting that Trump has been politicizing the fires for years, emphasizing neglected policies that could have prevented the disaster.

Notable Quote:

[04:18] Michael Knowles: "Trump politicized the fires six years ago... If Newsom didn’t change his policies, which he didn’t, that’s why he's getting the blame here."

Steve Bannon’s Commentary on Water Issues

Steve Bannon joins the discussion, highlighting the water rationing issues in Los Angeles and criticizing the allocation of water resources that favor protecting fish populations over firefighting needs.

Notable Quote:

[08:06] Steve Bannon: "You can't get proper amounts of water, right? ... Because the water isn't allowed to flow down. It's got a natural flow from Canada... millions of gallons of water."

Trump’s Long-Standing Critique on California’s Fire Management

Michael Knowles traces Trump’s consistent criticism of California’s forest management, citing multiple instances where Trump warned of impending disasters due to mismanagement.

Notable Quotes:

[05:44] Michael Knowles: "In 2019, President Trump said billions of dollars are sent to the state of California for forest fires that with proper forest management, would never happen..."

[06:20] Michael Knowles: "Even in fall 2024, water issues were highlighted as a critical failure by Newsom."

Political Ramifications and Future Implications

Knowles discusses the broader political fallout, suggesting that the disaster severely damages Newsom’s presidential aspirations and signals a potential shift in the Democratic landscape by 2028.

Key Points:

• Trump’s Influence: The perception of Trump as a de facto leader despite not being the current president.
• Democratic Accountability: Blame on prolonged Democratic governance for neglecting critical infrastructure and forest management.
• Future Elections: The disaster could open the field for new Democratic candidates or weaken the party’s standing.

Additional Discussions: Geopolitical Moves and Domestic Issues

While the primary focus remains on the California fires, the episode also touches on:

• Trump’s Greenland Proposal: Discussing the EU’s opposition to the US potentially annexing Greenland, highlighting geopolitical tensions.
• Elon Musk and Twitter’s Policy Changes: Critiquing Musk’s approach to content moderation and the backlash from conservative figures like Steve Bannon.
• Social Issues: Addressing incidents of violence on public transportation and ongoing debates surrounding transgender policies, featuring critiques of public figures like Jon Cryer and Bill Maher.

Notable Quote:

[42:45] Jon Cryer: "Kids these days actually just do want to be trans. It's a cooler job. Nope, I don't agree."

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Michael Knowles concludes by reiterating the failures of the liberal establishment in managing both the fire disaster and broader societal issues. He emphasizes the need for accountability and criticizes the lack of effective leadership from Democratic officials.

Key Takeaways:

• Accountability: Strong criticism of Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass for their roles in the disaster.
• Policy Failures: Highlighting neglected forest management and water resource allocation.
• Political Impact: Anticipated negative repercussions for Democratic leadership in future elections.

Summary

In Episode 1648 of The Michael Knowles Show, host Michael Knowles delivers a comprehensive critique of the handling of the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. He places significant blame on Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass, arguing that long-standing policy failures and neglect of critical infrastructure have led to the disaster. The episode features strong denunciations of former President Donald Trump’s warnings about California’s mismanagement, discussions on the political ramifications for the Democratic Party, and touches upon broader geopolitical and social issues. Through a combination of direct quotes, policy analysis, and political commentary, Knowles presents a narrative that underscores the perceived incompetence of liberal leadership and anticipates substantial shifts in the political landscape as a result of the wildfire crisis.