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Gov. Gavin Newsom launched a new website aimed at combating “misinformation” that also links to Democratic fundraising giant ActBlue and defended his response to the fires raging in the Los Angeles area, Fox said. News Digital reported.
Fires have been burning in the Los Angeles area since Tuesday, destroying thousands of acres and homes and killing more than a dozen people. Amid criticism over his fire response, Newsom will launch a new website this weekend to combat “misinformation” about California’s fire prevention and emergency efforts, and will solicit donations through ActBlue. linked to.
“There’s a lot of misinformation out there. We’ve just launched a new site to ensure the public has access to factual data about Southern California’s wildfires,” Newsom said. posted on X on Saturday.
“Truth: – California did not cut its firefighting budget. We nearly doubled the size of our fire service and built the largest aerial firefighting team in the world.
“- CA has increased forest management tenfold since we took office.
“California does not allow looting. Get the facts: http://californiafirefacts.com,” the post concludes.
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Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom speaks from a podium in California. (Getty Images)
Californiafirefacts.com lists several “lies” promoted by social media and the media, as well as Newsom’s “facts” that correspond to the claims, before advertising a donate button at the bottom of the website. was discovered by FOX News Digital early Sunday morning.
“Please donate to the Cal Fire Foundation,” the website says, noting that the fundraiser is part of Act Blue, which delivers donations to firefighters and affected communities.
“Please donate to the Cal Fire Foundation. This is a tax-deductible gift that will help our firefighters and the communities they serve, including direct financial support to affected residents. It will go directly to support,” the website’s fundraising section adds.
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A helicopter sprays water on the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon in Los Angeles, Friday, January 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
Clicking the donate button will take users to an ActBlue URL where they can make a donation ranging from $25 to $1,000, or any amount they choose. The donation page also introduces Newsom’s Democratic Movement Political Action Committee and says donors can sign up for text updates from the PAC.
Newsom’s PAC was launched in 2023 and promoted as an effort to boost Democrats in “radical” Republican-led states. ActBlue is a large Democratic PAC that focuses on small donations and has supported more than $16 billion in Democratic elections and initiatives since its founding in 2004, according to its website.
Los Angeles area residents need phone numbers and how to get help.
ActBlue’s URL promoting donations to the fires states that all donations made go “directly” to “supporting firefighters and the communities they serve, including direct financial support to affected residents.” We will provide further details once it is delivered.
Newsom’s office told Fox News Digital that none of the donations received will go to the Democratic governor or the governor’s PAC.
“None of these donations go to Gavin Newsom or his PAC. Governor Newsom has raised $450,000 for the Fire Foundation in small donations during these fires. “We’re proud of the people who have rallied around the country to help. Californians are in dire straits,” Newsom spokesman Nathan Click told FOX News Digital on Sunday. Ta.
Governor Gavin Newsom speaks to reporters after the debate between President Biden and former President Trump in Atlanta on June 27, 2024. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images))
ActBlue’s website states that donations made through the platform include a 3.95% fee, which is passed on “to groups using our platform.” The New York Post reported that ActBlue has waived fees for fire donations, but the fundraising giant did not immediately respond to Fox Digital’s request for comment on the reported fee waivers.
ActBlue says donations made to charities through ActBlue are processed by AB Charities, which includes a 3.95% fee that covers donation processing costs. The group said commissions from AB Charities are not paid to political candidates.
Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren also urged people to donate to those affected by the fires through ActBlueLink.
“Would you be willing to split your donation between the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation and United Way of Greater Los Angeles to help communities near Los Angeles that have been devastated by wildfires? Donation 100% of the proceeds will be donated directly to these organizations,” Warren posted on X. Saturday.
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The X community memo blasted the senator, saying, “This is not a link to charity. This is a link to a Democratic Party fundraising platform. They receive 3.95% of all transactions. secure.actblue.com/ “Pricing.”
Fox Digital reached out to Warren’s office for comment Sunday morning, but did not receive a response.
Conservatives and critics of the governor took to social media to slam the donation link through ActBlue, calling the move “shameful.”
The wildfires destroyed at least 12,300 homes in the Los Angeles area over five days, killed at least 16 people and forced thousands to evacuate. Residents, including Hollywood stars, have criticized Newsom’s response to the disaster, which has seen fire hydrants run dry amid the fires.
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“Why was there no water in the hydrants?” According to Fox 11, one resident who confronted Newsom last week asked, “What are you going to do? Next time it’s going to be different. We’re going to refill the hydrants ourselves. ” he is said to have asked.
President-elect Trump called on Newsom to resign over the fire. (AP image)
President-elect Trump, who has long criticized Governor Newsom for the state’s repeated and devastating fires, called for the governor’s resignation over the fires.
“One of the best and most beautiful parts of the United States of America is burning down. It’s reduced to ashes. Gavin Newscome should resign. This is all his fault!!!” the president-elect tweeted this week on Truth Social. declared in the post.
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Firefighters battle the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon on Saturday, January 11, 2025 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Earlier this week, President Trump blamed Newsom and his environmental policies for the Los Angeles County fires.
“Governor Gavin Newscome will allow millions of gallons of water from excess rain and snowmelt from the north to flow daily into many areas of California, including areas currently on fire. , refused to sign the Water Restoration Declaration that was put before him, in a virtually apocalyptic manner,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Wednesday.
Flashback: Trump has a long history of warning Newsom about ‘terrible’ wildfire prevention
“He wanted to protect smelt, an essentially worthless fish, by reducing water supply (it didn’t work!), but he didn’t care about the people of California. Now the ultimate price… I’m going to demand it.” This incompetent governor is allowing beautiful, clean water to flow into California! On top of that, not having water at the fire hydrant is a real disaster! ”
A plane descends amid thick smoke from the Palisades fire in Mandeville Canyon in Los Angeles on January 11, 2025. (Reuters/Carlos Barria)
Over the weekend, Newsom sent a letter to Trump, who will become the 47th president on January 20, inviting him to the site of the fire.
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“In the spirit of this great nation, we must not politicize human tragedy or spread disinformation from the sidelines. Hundreds of thousands of Americans deserve to see us all working in their best interests to ensure a speedy recovery and rebuilding,” Newsom wrote.
“With respect and generosity,” he wrote.
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