Have Trump advised Newson to make sure more water is available for California?

 

Former President Donald Trump has indeed made public statements criticizing California Governor Gavin Newsom's water management policies, with a particular focus on water distribution in California. Trump has accused Newsom of failing to ensure sufficient water availability, especially for Southern California and the Central Valley farmers, by not diverting more water from Northern California's excess to areas suffering from drought and wildfires.

• In September 2024, Trump threatened to withhold federal wildfire aid unless Newsom changes water policies to favor more water deliveries to farmers, indicating a direct critique of Newsom's approach to water management. This was part of broader comments where Trump promised to provide California with more water if he were to be elected again, linking water availability to his political leverage.
• Trump has suggested that signing documents or "papers" that would allow for increased water flow from Northern to Southern California could mitigate the state's water issues, though these "papers" were not specifically defined. This rhetoric was part of his campaign promises to increase water supply for agricultural interests in California.

These statements reflect Trump's consistent stance on California water policy, where he has often blamed state environmental regulations for water scarcity, claiming they prioritize fish conservation over human needs. However, there's no evidence of a formal or direct "advice" from Trump to Newsom in the traditional sense; rather, these are public criticisms aimed at influencing policy through political pressure.

The narrative from Trump's side often includes the accusation that Newsom's refusal to implement certain water management strategies directly led to or exacerbated issues like wildfires, despite these claims being contested by environmentalists, scientists, and state officials who argue that the relationship between water policy and wildfires is more nuanced.

Therefore, while Trump has publicly advised or rather demanded through his criticisms that Newsom should ensure more water is available for California, particularly for agricultural use, these statements are part of a broader political and policy dispute rather than direct, personal advice.