Mel Gibson slams Gavin Newsom over Los Angeles fire in brutal critique on Joe Rogan's podcast

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Mel Gibson is not happy with California Governor Gavin Newsom’s leadership amid the Los Angeles fire as he gave a piece of his mind to the Democrat during an appearance on the 'Joe Rogan Experience' podcast. 

Speaking about the LA fire that has left many celebrities homeless along with thousands of residents, the 69-year-old actor slammed the politician after appearing on the UFC commentator’s podcast on Thursday, January 9. 

During a scathing rant in the two-hour-plus episode, ‘The Passion of Christ’ director took aim at Newsom while claiming he “didn’t do anything” for the forest as he previously claimed.

Mel Gibson criticizes Gavin Newsom's response to LA fires

Appearing on the podcast, Mel Gibson did not mince words, and said, “I think Newsom said 'I’m gonna take care of the forest and maintain the forest and do all that kinda stuff'—he didn’t do anything.”

Rogan responded to his statement by saying that he believed the California Governor had made use of the tax dollars toward supporting the homeless population instead of fire prevention. 

The ‘Braveheart’ star agreed with the host while taking a subtle dig at Newsom, “I think all our tax dollars probably went to Gavin’s hair gel.”

Gibson further reflected on the possible theories about the fire, while awaiting the fate of his home in Malibu amid a state of emergency.

“All those earmarks, the precursors of a collapse, they’re present in our time,” said the veteran star, before citing the 2011 Jared Diamond book ‘Collapse: How Societies Choose To Fail Or Succeed’. He said “it didn't take long” for a civilization to collapse, as reported by Daily Mail. 

He explained, “It says all the things you need for a civilization to cave in and collapse,” before noting, “It’s an interesting observation. And we’re no smarter than our grandparents.”

The actor further noted that his son Milo, who is in the volunteer fire brigade in Malibu, gave him an update on the blazing fire in his neighborhood. 

“[My son] sent me a video of my neighborhood and it’s in flames. It looks like an inferno,” shared the actor. 

When Rogan asked him further whether this inferno would be the final straw for him to move out of California, he revealed where he would go, if he ultimately chooses to leave. 

“I got a place in Costa Rica - I love it there," the actor revealed.

Gavin Newsom’s uncomfortable meeting with a distraught LA mom

Mel Gibson’s castigation of Gavin Newsom came just a day after the Governor was ripped for his botched public appearances. 

As the fire started raging on Tuesday, January 8, the California Governor posted a picture of himself consulting with authorities near a fire site. As the politician put his hands in his trouser pocket, during the meeting while assessing a critical situation, the netizens slammed him for his laidback approach.

He had an even more uncomfortable public meeting during an on-air encounter when a distraught Los Angeles mother sought answers about the fire. 

Newsom appeared to be left fumbling when the mother asked about the recovery effort of the thousands that had been left homeless in the fire that decimated over 2,000 buildings. 

“Governor that was my daughter's school,” the mother cried as she ran towards Newsom’s vehicle. 

As the politician replied, “I'm literally talking to the president right now to specifically answer the question of what we can do for you and your daughter,” the woman asked whether she could also be a party to the call. 

However, at that time, Newsom said that he was still trying to get hold of the president, as he said, “I've tried five times to make the call,” prompting the woman to ask why the president was not taking his call.

He replied, “It's not going through, I have to get cell service,” before appearing to pacify the persistent mother, “I'm devastated for you, I am so sorry, especially for your daughter.” He added, “I have four kids, losing a school…”.

“Everyone who went to school there, they lost two homes because they were living in one home or another,” the mother interfered before asking, “Why was there no water in the hydrants governor?”

As the conversation continued for another painful few minutes, Newsom vowed things would be different “next time.” He even claimed that he would do “whatever it takes” to fill the hydrants, and went on to board his car.