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resident Trump has threatened to withhold federal aid from Los Angeles-area residents affected by the recent wildfires unless California opens its water supply to Southern California. This comes as Trump is set to visit the region today, where over 17,000 structures have been destroyed and 28 people killed. In an interview with Fox News, Trump stated that he doesn't think California should receive aid until it allows water to flow from the north to the south.

    This approach marks a departure from traditional presidential visits to disaster-stricken areas, where leaders typically demonstrate support and assure local officials of federal aid. Trump has long been at odds with Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom over issues like forest management and water use. In the past, he suggested withholding federal aid if Newsom didn't agree to divert more water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to Central Valley farmers.

    Trump's comments repeated false claims about California's water issues being linked to conservation of the endangered Delta smelt. The move could harm Central Valley farms and Southern California communities that rely on water from the Delta, according to Karla Nemeth, director of the California Department of Water Resources. Despite this, Governor Newsom expressed confidence that the Trump administration would still provide disaster-related funds to California.