California Governor Gavin Newsom publicly rebuked Elon Musk for spreading misinformation to his 212 million followers on X, accusing the billionaire of "inciting looting" during the ongoing wildfire crisis in Los Angeles.
“Stop inciting looting. Stop spreading the false claim that this behavior has been legalized. That is a blatant lie. Looting is a crime and has always been a crime. Perpetrators will be arrested and prosecuted,” Newsom wrote on X on January 13.
Musk had previously shared a video of Newsom discussing the state’s efforts to stabilize wildfire-stricken areas. Although the interview emphasized cracking down on looting and promised “zero tolerance” for criminal activity, Musk reshared a misleading post that falsely claimed California Democrats had legalized looting and barred police from intervening.
The original post, by the account Amuse, falsely stated: “Looting: Newsom and California Democrats legalized looting, banned police from making arrests, and prohibited prosecutors from charging thieves. Now he’s opposing looting.” Musk shared the post with clown and globe emojis, amplifying the misinformation.
Looting Amid Wildfire Evacuations
Reports of theft and looting in evacuated areas of Los Angeles have sparked widespread discussion on social media, including Musk's platform X. Los Angeles police have arrested around 30 individuals on theft charges in the past week, including one suspect who allegedly impersonated a firefighter.
More than 12,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed by the wildfires around Los Angeles, and over 150,000 residents have been evacuated. To curb looting, the Los Angeles Police Department has imposed a nightly curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in affected neighborhoods like Pacific Palisades and Eaton.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Roger Luna condemned looting during the crisis as “unacceptable” and expressed hope that deploying the California National Guard to residential areas would deter crime.
Root of the Misinformation
The claim that Newsom "legalized looting" originated from criticism by right-wing groups last year. These accusations stemmed from Newsom’s opposition to revising Proposition 47, a 2014 measure that reclassified theft of property worth less than $950 from a felony to a misdemeanor. The law aimed to reduce the burden on prisons and focus resources on violent offenders.
Contrary to the narrative, misdemeanors are still crimes punishable by fines or up to one year in jail. Proposition 47 underwent revisions in the November 2024 elections, with 68% of voters supporting the changes. Neither the original nor revised versions of the law specifically addressed looting.
Political Tensions Escalate
President-elect Donald Trump, Musk, and other Republican leaders have intensified their criticism of Democrats, accusing them of prioritizing progressive policies over public safety. On the same day as his remarks about Musk, Newsom also countered claims from Trump that Los Angeles reservoirs were empty, hindering firefighters’ efforts.
“These reservoirs are fully stocked, especially in Southern California. Misinformation like this does nothing to help our response,” Newsom told NBC in an interview.
As California grapples with wildfires, looting, and political polarization, misinformation campaigns have further complicated efforts to address the crisis effectively.
(Compiled from AFP, The Independent, The Guardian)
Hello Shuttle will strive to bring the latest updates. At the end of the day.
Are you looking for reliable airport and cruise port transfer services in Los Angeles?
We offer professional, safe, and punctual transportation from
Los Angeles Airport - LAX
Long Beach Airport - LGB
John Wayne Airport - SNA
San Pedro cruise port
Long Beach cruise port
Disneyland
and other destinations.
Let us make your journey stress-free and comfortable with our dedicated drivers and high-quality vehicles. Book now for the perfect travel experience at www.helloshuttle.com or call 944-800-5678!
