Fox News Digital found on Sunday morning that Californiafirefacts.com presents a selection of misinformation circulating on social media and in the media, along with Governor Newsom’s responses to these claims. The website encourages visitors to donate to the California Fire Foundation via a button at the bottom of the page, with the fundraising effort facilitated by ActBlue to support firefighters and affected communities.
You are invited to contribute to the California Fire Foundation, a tax-deductible donation that will directly aid firefighters and impacted residents. Upon clicking the donation button, users are directed to an ActBlue donation page where they can donate amounts ranging from $25 to $1,000 or a custom figure. Donors may also receive text updates from Newsom’s Campaign for Democracy PAC.
Established in 2023, Newsom’s PAC aims to support Democrats in Republican-led states. ActBlue, a significant Democratic PAC specializing in small-dollar donations, has contributed over $16 billion to Democratic causes since its inception in 2004. The ActBlue donation URL emphasizes that all contributions will go towards supporting firefighters and affected communities.
Newsom’s office assured that donations will not benefit the governor or his PAC. A processing fee of 3.95% is disclosed on the ActBlue platform, with the New York Post reporting that these fees were waived for fire-related donations. Contributions processed through ActBlue are managed by AB Charities, with fees not allocated to political candidates.
Additionally, Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren urged the public to donate via ActBlue links to assist those impacted by the wildfires in Los Angeles. Donations to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation and United Way of Greater Los Angeles are directed entirely to these organizations to aid affected communities.
An uproar was sparked within the community after notes from the Funding ScrutinyX community criticized a senator for linking to a Democrat fundraising platform instead of a charity. The notes pointed out that the platform in question, ActBlue, takes a 3.95% cut from all transactions. Despite reaching out for comment, Fox Digital did not receive a response from the senator’s office.
Conservatives and critics voiced their disapproval on social media over the donation link through ActBlue, labeling the move as “disgraceful.” The devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area have resulted in the destruction of over 12,300 homes and claimed the lives of at least 16 individuals over a period of five days, forcing thousands to evacuate. Residents, including celebrities from Hollywood, have expressed discontent with Governor Newsom’s handling of the situation, particularly the issue of fire hydrants running out of water during the blaze.
In response to the criticism, Governor Newsom has pointed fingers at local leaders and President-elect Trump, who has been a vocal critic of Newsom regarding the state’s recurring wildfires. Trump called for Newsom’s resignation, attributing the fires to his policies.
Newsom has ordered an independent investigation into the situation, seeking answers regarding the dry fire hydrants. In a letter to Trump, Newsom extended an invitation for the president-elect to visit the fire-affected areas, emphasizing the need to prioritize the well-being of displaced individuals and work together towards a swift recovery.
