Gavin Newsom confronted by LA fires survivor as he fumbles phone call to Biden
California Governor Gavin Newsom was caught in the middle of a heated exchange with a Los Angeles fire victim, as he fumbled over whether he was on the phone with President Joe Biden.
The fires, fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds, have destroyed over 10,000 structures and forced more than 170,000 people to evacuate.
The incident unfolded after the woman, who said she had experienced major losses due to the fires, demanded answers from the governor as he visited the disaster zone.
"That was my daughter's school, Governor," she said, pointing to a burnt structure. She added: "Please tell me what you're going to do about this."
Newsom, holding his phone, responded: "I am literally talking to the president right now to specifically answer the question of what we can do for you and your daughter."
The woman, visibly upset, further pressed him. "Can I hear it? Can I hear your call? Because I don't believe it!"
Newsom, visibly caught in his lie, replied: "I can't-it doesn't-uh, I'm sorry, there's literally-I've tried five times. That's why I'm walking around to make the call."
When the woman asked why Biden was not taking his call, Newsom responded saying: "Because it's not going through. I have to get cell service. There's no cell service."
Determined, the woman urged him: "So let's get it. Let's get it. I want to be here when you call the president."
Newsom declined and reiterated that he was already trying to reach the president. The woman then shifted to another pressing concern.
"Why was there no water in the hydrants, Governor?" she asked. "I would fill up the hydrants myself-would you do that?"