California Governor Spars With Musk Over Wildfire ‘Lies’

AFP/APP

Washington: California Governor Gavin Newsom has accused billionaire Elon Musk of spreading falsehoods regarding the state’s handling of deadly wildfires in Los Angeles, escalating a heated online dispute over misinformation.

Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has faced mounting criticism from Newsom and others over his remarks about California’s wildfire response. On his social media platform, X, Musk blamed the catastrophic loss of homes on “bad governance” at both state and local levels, citing a shortage of water.

Newsom, in response, took to social media to debunk Musk’s claims, posting a video where a firefighter refuted the water shortage narrative. The firefighter confirmed that several reservoirs were available, though large-scale firefighting efforts often require the use of additional water trucks.

The exchange grew more contentious over the weekend, with Newsom accusing Musk of spreading misinformation about the state’s stance on looting. Musk had amplified a false claim on X, alleging that Newsom and Democrats had “decriminalized looting,” which Newsom promptly denied. “Looting is illegal – as it always has been,” Newsom retorted, stressing that individuals engaged in looting would face arrest and prosecution.

Musk, with over 212 million followers on X, has faced criticism for amplifying misleading narratives. The platform, which Musk purchased in 2022, has been accused of enabling right-wing misinformation, particularly surrounding the deadly wildfires.

Researchers have noted the spread of false claims, including one viral video that falsely suggested fire departments were using women’s handbags to fight flames due to a lack of resources. In reality, these were canvas bags used by firefighters for practical reasons in extinguishing smaller fires.

Misleading content has also spread across other platforms, including Facebook, with recent incidents involving false calls for volunteer cleanup crews in fire-affected areas. Authorities have clarified there is no such opportunity.

This online battle is part of a broader concern over the spread of misinformation related to the California wildfires, as both state officials and fact-checking organizations work to counter false narratives. The controversy comes at a time when misinformation on social media platforms like X and Facebook has drawn significant scrutiny, especially following changes in moderation policies.

As Newsom and Musk continue to clash, the debate highlights the ongoing challenges of managing misinformation in the digital age, particularly during times of crisis.