Is it possible that once, just once, in the face of unspeakable tragedy and human loss, that Donald Trump could stop being a power-mad despot and use his bully pulpit to actually lead and inspire?
The Los Angeles fires have given us yet another instance where Trump refuses the call to be a “Consoler In Chief”, and instead stokes the fires of his angry base that has all the compassion of burned-out husk.
As wildfires ravage Los Angeles and the search for victims continues, former and soon-to-be yet again President Donald Trump has chosen to weaponize the tragedy, using it as a political cudgel rather than an opportunity for leadership or empathy. While firefighters sift through ash and rubble to recover the remains of those who perished, while bodies are being pulled from what remains of lives, while business owners sift thru the remnants of their hopes and dreams, Trump’s incendiary rhetoric focuses on blaming California’s Democratic leaders for the catastrophe. This calculated exploitation of a natural disaster reveals not only Trump’s lack of understanding of the complex factors contributing to the fires but also his willingness to deepen political divisions in the face of human suffering.
There is nothing positive to be gained in using death and destruction as a bludgeoning tool for power and fame, yet Trump remains the modern day master of this despicable trait.
Trump’s Weaponization of Tragedy
In the wake of the Los Angeles fires, Trump has unleashed a torrent of criticisms against California Governor Gavin Newsom and other Democratic leaders, using false and wild-eye accusations of mismanaging the state’s resources and failing to prevent the wildfires. Trump’s comments include vague and misleading statements about water management and forestry practices, often delivered without evidence or context. “California has all the water they need,” he said at a recent rally, “they just don’t know how to use it.” Such remarks not only oversimplify the issues at hand but also ignore the scientific realities of climate change and its role in intensifying wildfire conditions.
Governor Newsom, for his part, wasted no time in going on the offensive, both for demanding answers about fire preparedness, and striking back at Trump for being little more than a bully carrying a torch for clickbait and fame. In an NBC News interview, Newsom decided not to hide behind propaganda social media such as Trump always does using his owned Truth Social platform, but to make it clear that he won’t have Trump threatening and belittling the efforts of first responders while trading on the crushed lives of thousand of Californians.
Instead of weaponizing this crisis for personal gain, Newsom stood before the cameras and dug in his heels against Trump. It won’t make him popular with the MAGA crowd, as if he ever was or had any chance of appealing to their consistent desire for revenge and retribution, but it showed what leaders are capable of in a time of need.
A President’s Role in Crisis
Let’s get back to something mentioned earlier. Traditionally, the President of the United States serves as a “chief consoler” during national crises, offering support and solidarity to affected communities. Trump, however, has consistently eschewed this role in favor of fanning the flames of political partisanship. His response to the Los Angeles fires is no exception. Rather than expressing compassion for the victims or outlining concrete plans to support recovery efforts, Trump has used the tragedy as a platform to attack his political opponents and energize his base.
This behavior stands in stark contrast to the actions of past presidents, who understood the importance of unity in times of national disaster. Whether it was George W. Bush visiting Ground Zero after 9/11 or Barack Obama comforting families after mass shootings, these leaders recognized that empathy and solidarity are critical components of effective leadership. Trump’s refusal to rise to this occasion highlights his singular focus on self-promotion and political gain.
He has not, does not, and never will take into consideration the needs of all Americans at time such as these, unless what he takes from the battle keeps him in the headlines and diverts attention from those who need help.
When Puerto Rico was devastated by a hurricane, Trump and his MAGA factions did everything they could in ceasing any additional aid to what is considered America’s unofficial 51st State. They were counting the bodies while Trump mocked the efforts to rebuild this America territory,
When FEMA needed more funding to assist in disaster efforts here at home, Trump diverted funds from the agency in order to finance returning undocumented individuals to Mexico, a hallmark of his appeal to the mouth-breathing faction of his base.
And while they were still searching for the missing and employing Herculean efforts to dig out in places such as North Carolina from Hurricane Helene, Trump used yet another disaster where empathy and leadership were demanded in order to launch political attacks against President Joe Biden and the agencies struggling with the overwhelming humanity of the situation.
If the choice is between being there as a stalwart leader of the nation, or kowtowing to his followers who will assist in keeping him in power, Trump has never, not once, chosen the strictly human thing to do.
The Echo Chamber of Blame
Trump’s rhetoric has emboldened a chorus of right-wing voices who parrot his baseless accusations, acting as his angry sycophants. Actor and MAGA mouthpiece James Woods, for instance, took to social media to blame California’s Democratic leadership for the fires, offering no evidence to support his claims. This type of propaganda is not only misleading but also dangerous, as it shifts attention away from the real issues—such as climate change and urban planning—that need to be addressed to prevent future disasters.
The spread of misinformation also undermines public trust in science and expertise. By framing the fires as a failure of governance rather than a consequence of broader environmental factors, Trump and his allies perpetuate a narrative that absolves industries and policies contributing to climate change. This disinformation campaign serves to protect the interests of polluters and delay meaningful action on environmental reform.
Ignoring Climate Change
One glaring omission in Trump’s commentary is any acknowledgment of climate change, either man-made or by the hand of Mother Nature, as a contributing factor to the wildfires. Scientists have long warned that rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and increased wind events—all linked to climate change—are creating the perfect conditions for more frequent and intense fires. Yet, addressing these root causes would conflict with the MAGA agenda, which prioritizes deregulation and the interests of fossil fuel companies over environmental stewardship.
In the Trump world, science is nothing more than a liberal plot to keep America from being “great” again. Both he and his lemmings fear being exposed as mental miscreants with no desire to understand and acknowledge the truth.
By refusing to confront the realities of climate change, Trump not only ignores the scientific consensus but also jeopardizes the safety and security of future generations. His administration’s rollback of environmental protections and withdrawal from the Paris Agreement are just a few examples of policies that have exacerbated the climate crisis. The Los Angeles fires should serve as a wake-up call, but for Trump and his allies, they are merely another opportunity to sow division.
Feeding the Base
Trump’s calculated use of the Los Angeles fires as political fodder is emblematic of his broader strategy: distract, divide, and deflect. By framing the disaster as a failure of Democratic leadership, he provides red meat to his supporters while diverting attention from his own administration’s failures on climate policy. This approach is not about solving problems but about maintaining power and influence.
The consequences of this strategy are profound. As Trump and his allies spread misinformation, they undermine efforts to address the underlying causes of disasters like the Los Angeles fires. This, in turn, leaves communities more vulnerable to future catastrophes and erodes the public’s ability to discern fact from fiction.
The Cost of Disinformation
The politicization of natural disasters has far-reaching implications. By reducing complex issues to partisan talking points, Trump and his supporters hinder meaningful dialogue and cooperation. This approach not only delays recovery efforts but also exacerbates the suffering of those affected. Victims of the Los Angeles fires deserve better than to be pawns in a political game; they deserve leadership that prioritizes their needs over personal or partisan gain.
They deserve an outstretched helping hand, instead of the back-handed slap in the mouth they are offered by Trump and his followers.
Why does Trump need to be the bully?
As Los Angeles grapples with the aftermath of devastating wildfires, Trump’s response has been a masterclass in political opportunism and cynicism. Rather than offering solace or solutions, he has chosen to exploit the tragedy for his own gain, spreading misinformation and stoking division. This behavior underscores the urgent need for leaders who value truth, empathy, and action over self-interest and propaganda.
The Los Angeles fires should serve as a rallying cry for addressing the climate crisis and fostering unity, but under Trump’s rhetoric, they risk becoming yet another casualty of America’s fractured political landscape.
We could ask ourselves yet again why Trump feels the incessant need to always pick a fight instead of being someone who honestly wants to lead every American into a better future. It's because the man has no sympathy, no empathy, and no heart for anything, save for when it benefits him, his ego and his wallet.
It’s not too much to ask from a President of the United States. It is too much to ask, apparently, from Donald Trump.
Ed Berliner is an Emmy Award winning journalist who believes nothing and no one is out of bounds or limits when it comes to fact based opinion of the news. His opinions and teachings are part of his speaking series both in person and via his virtual studio. Catch all his comments by subscribing to the email newsletter "Shakedown Street".
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