Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
Donald Trump and Gavin Newsom put on a united front on the tarmac of Los Angeles International Airport on Friday, as the president arrived in California for a visit to survey the devastation caused by the wildfires.
The California governor smiled as he shook hands with the president, despite previous online acrimony between them, and proceeded to give the First Lady a kiss on the cheek.
In short remarks to reporters, Trump said that LA looked “like you got hit by a bomb” and that “a lot of real estate” had been lost.
“It means a great deal a lot to all of us… we’re gonna need your support… you were there for us in Covid, I don’t forget that,” Newsom replied.
Trump later promised a group of L.A. firefighters, “We won’t let you down,” even as he threatens to withold disaster aid from the state.
The president’s visit comes as San Diego County’s Border 2 fire exploded Friday morning, spreading quickly over more than 5,300 acres by Friday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles County-based Hughes fire, which exploded near Castaic Lake on Wednesday, has spread across 10,396 acres and is at 56 percent containment. And, the Laguna Fire, which started in Ventura County on Thursday, is now 70 percent contained after engulfing 94 acres.
Nine fires are raging across Southern California, including the deadly and destructive Palisades and Eaton fires.
Will Trump and Newsom bury the hatchet and cooperate over L.A. fires?
“I appreciate the governor coming out… we’ll be talking a lot and we want to get it fixed,” he said.
Mike Bedigan has the story.
Josh Marcus25 January 2025 00:39
Trump tours Pacific Palisades neighborhood devastated by fires
Graeme Massie25 January 2025 00:33
After weeks of insults, Trump is all smiles with LAFD
Donald Trump has spent weeks ripping Los Angeles and California’s response to the devastating wildfires, while suggesting he might cut off future emergency aid to the state unless they agreed to unrelated policy goals like a new voter ID law.
However, when Trump toured wildfire damage in Los Angeles on Friday, he exchanged warm banter with a group of gathered L.A. firefighters.
He elicited chuckles from the LAFD as he held a fire helmet, calling it a “heavy sucker” but suggesting this group of “all strong men” didn’t have a problem with such gear.
“Welcome back, sir, we missed you,” one firefighter told the president.
As Trump wrapped up his tour, he could be heard saying, “We won’t let you down, fellas.”
Despite the warm reception, it’s still unclear what future wildfire aid to the state will look like.
Josh Marcus25 January 2025 00:31
‘We need your help,’ L.A. resident tells Trump during fire tour
A Los Angeles resident told Donald Trump on Friday that the communities impacted by the Palisades fire are still in desperate need of assistance.
“We need your help,” a man told the president.
“This is a community that has a lot of resources,” he continued. “It’s also a very multi-generational community.”
“A lot of people, we’ve been kind of abandoned and feel let down by local leadership,” the man went on. “The fire department’s been amazing. They need more resources. In order for us to build back, we need better infrastructure. We need to make sure this will never happen again.”
Josh Marcus25 January 2025 00:13
Newsom’s press office blasts ‘absolutely absurd claims’ about firefighter staffing in LA
Julia Musto25 January 2025 00:00
Pasadena firefighter recalls responding to Eaton fire: ‘This is not like anything we’ve ever seen before’
Julia Musto24 January 2025 23:45
In pictures: Newsom meets the Trumps at LAX
Mike Bedigan24 January 2025 23:30
Trump and Newsom put on united front on LAX tarmac
President Trump and Governor Newsom put on a united front as they spoke to reporters at LAX, despite public disputes between them previously.
In short remarks to the press, Trump remarked that Los Angeles looked “like you got hit by a bomb.”
“It means a great deal a lot to all of us… we’re gonna need your support… you were there for us in Covid, I don’t forget that,” Newsom replied.
Trump responded: “We’re gonna get it done. You’ve lost a tremendous number of lives and a lot of real estate. We’ll get it permanently fixed so it won’t happen again.”
Mike Bedigan24 January 2025 23:20
Trump lands in Los Angeles and is met by Gavin Newsom
President Trump has arrived in Los Angeles and has disembarked from Air Force One at LAX.
He was met on the tarmac by California Governor Gavin Newsom, who smiled when he met him. The men appeared friendly, despite previous acrimony between them.
Trump patted Newsom on the back and the governor gave the First Lady a kiss on the cheek.
Mike Bedigan24 January 2025 23:14