This is hilarious.
As wildfires continue to devastate Southern California, the calls for leadership accountability are growing louder, and now, another prominent figure is adding his voice to the chorus. Kevin O’Leary, the Chairman of O’Leary Ventures, did not hold back in his criticism of California Governor Gavin Newsom, calling his handling of the crisis a prime example of “gross mismanagement.”
Speaking on “Varney & Co.” this past Friday, O’Leary compared Newsom’s leadership to that of former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, saying, “Gavin Newsom is a terrible manager. He is the Justin Trudeau of California. He’s horrific.” According to O’Leary, Newsom’s failure to effectively manage the state’s response to the crisis is just another symptom of broader governance failures that have plagued California under his watch.
The wildfires have already claimed the lives of at least 10 people, ravaged over 27,000 acres of land, and destroyed thousands of homes. As of Friday, more than 10,000 buildings had been lost, and communities across the state were left grappling with the devastation. Yet, despite the scale of the disaster, Newsom has largely deflected responsibility, instead of offering concrete solutions to the mounting challenges.
In a statement to CNN’s Anderson Cooper, Newsom dismissed criticism from President-elect Trump, saying, “You can’t even respond to it. People are literally fleeing. People have lost their lives.” While Newsom may claim he doesn’t want to engage in political rhetoric, his inability to address the pressing issues facing California is itself a political failure.
O’Leary, who has long been vocal about the decline of California’s cities, pointed out that this crisis is just the latest in a series of missteps under Newsom’s leadership. “San Francisco is a war zone. L.A. is riddled with crime,” he noted, adding that the state’s problems go far beyond wildfires.
One of the most glaring examples of Newsom’s disregard for accountability, according to O’Leary, was a viral video showing a distressed mother confronting the governor over the lack of water pressure in fire hydrants. Newsom dismissed the concern, blaming it on local authorities, but O’Leary argues that as governor, Newsom is ultimately responsible. “When you’re a politician, you have to own the problem,” O’Leary said. “It’s time for him to get removed from office immediately.”
O’Leary’s words echo a growing sentiment among frustrated Californians who are fed up with what they see as ineffective leadership. The people of California deserve better than a governor who is more focused on playing political games than protecting the lives and livelihoods of his constituents. It’s clear: change is needed at the top.