Newsom defends fire response with fact-check site linking to Dem Party fundraising platform

Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom is combating "misinformation" surrounding his handling of the fires with a website that asks for donations through ActBlue.

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at podium in California. (Getty Images)

Californiafirefacts.com lists a handful of "lies" promoted on social media and by the media and Newsom’s "facts" responding to the claims, before touting a donation button at the bottom of the website, Fox News Digital found early Sunday morning. 

"Contribute to the California Fire Foundation," the website says, identifying the fundraising effort as part of ActBlue, which will deliver donations to firefighters and devastated communities. 

"Please make a contribution to the California Fire Foundation. It is a tax-deductible donation and the money will go directly to supporting firefighters and the communities they serve, including direct financial support to impacted residents," the fundraising section of the website adds. 

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 Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks to reporters following the debate between President Biden and former President Trump on June 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images))

The ActBlue website states that donations made via the platform include a 3.95% processing fee, which is passed on "to the groups using our platform." The New York Post reported that ActBlue waived the fees for fire donations, though the fundraising behemoth did not immediately respond to Fox Digital's request for comment on the reported waived fees. 

Contributions made through ActBlue to charities are processed by AB Charities, and include a 3.95% fee that goes toward the cost of processing contributions, according to ActBlue. Processing fees from AB Charities do not go to political candidates, according to the group. 

Democratic Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren also called on the public to make donations to those affected by the fires through an ActBlue link. 

"To help support the communities around L.A. being devastated by wildfires, can you split a donation between the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation and United Way of Greater Los Angeles? 100% of your donation will go directly to these organizations," Warren posted to X on Saturday. 

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X community notes ripped the senator, saying, "This is not a link to charity. It is a link to a Democrat fundraising platform. They take 3.95% of all transactions. secure.actblue.com/pricing."

Fox Digital reached out to Warren's office on Sunday morning for comment, but did not receive a response. 

Conservatives and critics of the governor sounded off on social media about the donation link through ActBlue, calling the move "disgraceful."

The wildfires have destroyed at least 12,300 homes around the Los Angeles area over five days, and left at least 16 people dead, while thousands of others were forced to evacuate. Residents, including Hollywood stars, have railed against Newsom for his handling of the devastation, including the fire hydrants that ran out of water amid the blaze.

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"Why was there no water in the hydrants?" one resident who confronted Newsom last week asked, according to Fox 11. "What are you going to do and is it going to be different next time, and I will fill up the hydrants myself."

A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Earlier in the week, Trump pinned blame for the LA County fires on Newsom and his environmental policies. 

"Governor Gavin Newscum refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snow melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way," Trump posted to Truth Social on Wednesday. 

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"He wanted to protect an essentially worthless fish called a smelt, by giving it less water (it didn’t work!), but didn’t care about the people of California. Now the ultimate price is being paid. I will demand that this incompetent governor allow beautiful, clean, fresh water to FLOW INTO CALIFORNIA! He is the blame for this. On top of it all, no water for fire hydrants, not firefighting planes. A true disaster!"

A plane makes a drop as smoke billows from the Palisades Fire at the Mandeville Canyon, in Los Angeles, Jan. 11, 2025. (Reuters/Carlos Barria)

Newsom sent a letter to Trump, who will be inaugurated the nation’s 47th president on Jan. 20, over the weekend inviting him to the scene of the fires. 

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"In the spirit of this great country, we must not politicize human tragedy or spread disinformation from the sidelines. Hundreds of thousands of Americans – displaced from their homes and fearful for the future – deserve to see all of us working in their best interests to ensure a fast recovery and rebuild," Newsom wrote.

"With respect and an open hand," he wrote.

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