The 40-year-old Los Angeles billionaire, known for his success in the real estate business, came under heavy criticism Tuesday for pleading with civilian firefighters on social media platforms to save his home in the Pacific Palisades. I deleted my account.
Keith Wasserman, whose X bio reads “Entrepreneur, Investor, Contrarian, Compound Interest,” is a partner and co-founder of Gelt Venture Partners, and on his Linkedin page he describes himself as “high-net-worth individuals and It is described as a multifamily real estate investment aimed at families. ”
“Can someone hire a private firefighter to protect our home in the Pacific Palisades?” a 40-year-old man posted on X on January 7, as the fire raged. “We need to act fast here. All the houses in our neighborhood are on fire. We will pay any amount. Thank you.”
The Palisades Fire, first reported around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, quickly spread through residential and commercial areas, prompting the immediate evacuation of tens of thousands of people and has since destroyed thousands of buildings on more than 19,000 acres. was destroyed.
The wildfire is considered the most destructive natural disaster in Los Angeles history, with damages estimated to be in the $50 billion range.
The Palisades Fire seen from the Baldwin Hills Observation Deck in Los Angeles on January 8, 2025. (Getty Images) Firefighters battle the Palisades Fire burning a structure in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on Tuesday, January 7. 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) Sky5 captures the devastation of the Palisades fire in January in Los Angeles, California. January 9, 2025. (KTLA) On Thursday, January 9, 2025, the Palisades Fire destroyed a structure in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C.Hong) The devastation caused by the Palisades fire can be seen below. The atmosphere in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on Thursday, January 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
According to the Daily Beast, Wasserman had previously posted that he was disdainful about paying property taxes, saying, “Real estate enthusiasts don’t pay a dime,” but he quickly tweeted another X user saying, “Real estate enthusiasts never pay a dime.” “I was dragged into it.”
One user tagged Wasserman, whose home was reportedly destroyed in the fire, and wrote, “Congratulations on not having to pay property taxes.”
Another X user said: “It’s really impossible to make something like this up.” “Rich man Keith Wasserman brags about not paying taxes and wants private firefighters to protect his house while his neighbor’s is on fire.”
However, not all comments were completely negative. Some users defended real estate investors.
Why were the fire hydrants “empty” for crews fighting the Palisades Fire?
“Very disappointed to see the backlash against Keith Wasserman,” a San Diego user wrote. “Keith was fighting to protect his home and the precious memories of his family. Most people in his position and faced with flames on their doorstep would have acted the same way.”
“If you’re sitting in the comfort of your home criticizing Keith Wasserman for trying to save your home, maybe you should realize how lucky you are and be grateful. We all need more… You need to be nice,” another X user posted.
It’s not at all unusual for wealthy people to hire firefighters, like Kim Kardashian and Kanye West did in 2018, but it was heavily criticized at the time as well.
It is unclear whether Wasserman had any intention of returning to X, but his account ceased to exist by January 9th.
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