Trump's Impotent Lies Exposed by California Officials

Spoiler: Reservoirs Are Full, But His Claims Are Empty

In a move that shocked exactly no one, Donald Trump has once again weaponized a tragedy to push his anti-environment agenda — this time by blaming California’s wildfires on… checks notes… fish. Yes, fish.

Days after touring fire-ravaged Los Angeles, Trump signed an executive order demanding federal agencies “override existing activities that unduly burden efforts to maximize water deliveries” to Southern California.

Translation: He wants to pump more water from Northern California and gut environmental protections for endangered species like the Delta smelt (a tiny fish he’s publicly feuded with since 2016), and he pretends this has anything to do with fighting fires.

But here’s the kicker: California’s reservoirs are already full.

Experts vs. Trump: A Reality Check

State officials, water managers, and scientists are not having it. For instance, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) spokesperson Tara Gallegos said:

“The premise of this executive order is false. Attempts to connect water management in Northern California to local wildfire fighting in Los Angeles have zero factual basis.”

Likewise, Peter Gleick, a noted hydro-climatologist, responded:

“[This] is what you get when you mix bluster, ignorance, and disinformation. There are no ‘enormous amounts of water’ that can be redirected legally, economically, or environmentally.”

Marty Adams, former LADWP chief engineer, also weighed in, stating that:

“There’s way more water in local storage than you could ever fight a fire with.”

The Association of California Water Agencies also weighed in on the situation:

“Water supply has not hindered firefighting efforts.”

But why let facts ruin a perfectly good political stunt?

Fish vs. Fire: Trump’s Gold Medal in Mental Gymnastics

Trump’s order resurrects his 2020-era obsession with sidelining the Endangered Species Act to send more water to Central Valley farmers — a move experts say would harm ecosystems without helping fire victims.

For instance, Brett Hartl, government affairs director for the Center for Biological Diversity, cautioned that:

“[Trump’s] not going to solve [the crisis] with an executive order that pointlessly scapegoats endangered fish.”

California Rep. Jared Huffman (D-District 2) also called out the executive order’s BS:

“Do not be fooled by Trump’s lies: None of these policies will move even a single drop of extra water to communities devastated by wildfires.”

Meanwhile, Trump’s Truth Social post doubled down on delusion:

“The United States Military just entered the Great State of California and, under Emergency Powers, TURNED ON THE WATER flowing abundantly from the Pacific Northwest, and beyond.”

Reality check: There is no magical “valve.” The military did not “turn on” water. And the Pacific Northwest isn’t a faucet.

Fact-Check Frenzy

Media outlets and experts have spent days dismantling Trump’s claims:

• The Washington Post: “Trump says a ‘valve’ can fix California’s water. It’s not that easy.”
  

• LA Times: “Trump wants to alter California water policy. Experts say it could do harm.”
  

• PolitiFact: “Experts said that statewide, there are no major reservoirs that have been dry for more than 15 years, and most of California’s reservoirs are above their historic average storage.”

Adding fuel to the criticism, State Assemblymember Isaac G. Bryan (D-District 55) mocked Trump’s rhetoric:

“I hope while Trump is in California he takes us to the giant faucet that he says releases all the water. I chair the state Natural Resource Committee, and I’d love to see it. It’s got to be huge. We could turn it on together.”

Share this article if you’re tired of “alternative facts” and politicians who think wildfires can be fixed with an imaginary faucet. 🌊🔥🚫

The Real Agenda: Punish California, Praise Donors

Environmental advocates aren’t buying the “emergency” narrative.

For example, Patricia Schifferle, the director of Pacific Advocates, said,

“Trump’s Executive Order does little to help the people ravaged by the fires and instead uses the federal purse and power to take more water for Central Valley irrigators and his donors.”

Similarly, Josa Talley, a spokesperson for Save California Salmon:

“[Trump’s] placed an unacceptably high cost on emergency funds. We urge California to safeguard drinking water and environmental protections.”

In classic Trump fashion, the order also threatens to withhold federal disaster aid unless California complies — a move that reeks of political extortion.

Conclusion

Trump’s “water war” is less about fighting fires and more about fighting reality. California has water. The fires were fueled by climate change and infrastructure gaps — not fish. But why solve problems when you can just… lie?

As environmental activist and online influencer Jason Wise noted, “LA has plenty of water. Anyone who tells you otherwise is trying to score political points off a tragedy.”

Stay tuned for Trump’s next crisis solution: Blaming windmills for hurricanes.

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Stay strong. Working together, we can survive.

samuel