“It's all about the land grab” — Netizens react as Gavin Newsom talks about potential property deals in LA following the wildfires

California Governor Gavin Newsom's statement to Fox on January 10, 2025, has garnered backlash from netizens. While discussing the disastrous wildfires, which have been raging since January 7, Gavin Newsom shared his thoughts on how he plans to rebuild damaged properties in California.

The governor told Fox that he is in contact with the governor of Hawaii, Josh Green, and plans on obtaining his assistance.

"I was just talking to Josh Green, the governor down in Hawaii, who had some ideas around some land use concerns he has around speculators coming in, buying up properties. So, we're already working with our legal teams to move those things forward, and we'll be presenting those in a matter of days, not just weeks."

In August 2023, the Lahaina wildfires on Maui, Hawaii, wreaked havoc. As per NBC's report on May 11, 2024, more than 102 people lost their lives, and nearly 2200 homes were destroyed.

As per NBC's report on August 15, 2023, the wildfire victims claimed they kept getting calls from real estate investors trying to buy their damaged property.

Governor Gavin Newsom's remarks to Fox alerted netizens who felt the wildfire victims could lose their homes to land grabbers. Netizens also wondered why this was the governor's immediate focus. User @wabisabidawn commented:

"Unbelievable! It's all about the land grab. The fact that this is their immediate focus says everything. Are we really surprised at this point?"

"I am super curious to watch the entire clip. This man is rotten but part of me hopes that there is more to it that doesn't make it sound like all these people lost their home for another land grab like they did in Hawaii. I live in CA so we all know he's dirty. He needs to resign," another user posted.

"He is already on to the government controlling all the land in the destroyed area. He may have put aside many regulations now but a whole raft of new ones will be born to control the outcome. Many private property owners will lose everything and be cast aside or bought off at a big discount," A netizen posted.

Some X users pointed out the governor's body language, remarking that Gavin Newsom looked "happy."

"Why is he so happy? And the way he rocks back and forth reminds of something a child would do when they get their own way. I'm surprised he didn't say, "nyah nyah"!" One user wrote.

"Planned disaster. He is promoting the agenda already. He's too happy while FIRES ARE STILL BURNING." Another user wrote.

"Looks like he's so excited that he's rocking like a little kid looking in a window into a candy store. Seems a little too happy to me. / How did he afford his house again?" A netizen posted.

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Gavin Newsom in talks with Josh Green: Netizens speculate over conspiracy theories

Powerful Winds Fuel Multiple Fires Across Los Angeles Area (Image via Getty)

On January 11, 2025, Hawaii's governor, Josh Green, told KHON2 News he had been in touch with Gavin Newsom and offered technical resources to help them. The governor also shared that he would help the victims in crisis by providing them with affordable hotel rooms.

"I've already begun the earliest idea of opening up some of our vacant hotel rooms because we always have some vacancies. If those vacancies can be used at a very affordable price, maybe we can help people get through this crisis."

Netizens have started discussing conspiracy theories on social media. X user @htnt3888 drew parallels between the LA wildfires and the Lahaina wildfires. According to some netizens, the wildfires were allegedly created to destroy LA so it could be rebuilt into an AI Smart City under the United Nations' 2030 Agenda.

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Governor Gavin Newsom's statements have fanned conspiracy theories. In 2023, conspiracy theorists claimed Direct Energy Weapons allegedly caused the Lahaina wildfires.

Similarly, netizens claim that the LA wildfires were an alleged "targeted DEW strike." So far, intense windstorms are speculated to have caused the devastating wildfires.