Trump threatens to withhold federal aid to California to strong-arm Gavin Newsom, Internet says ‘mob boss’

COACHELLA, CALIFORNIA: GOP nominee Donald Trump vowed to withhold federal firefighting aid to California to force the state's Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom to obey his commands if elected to the White House, while addressing a campaign rally in Coachella on Saturday, October 12.

According to the Independent, Trump's promise comes days after he has been allegedly spreading misinformation about the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) not doing enough to help the victims of Hurricane Helene, which recently devastated the southeastern coast of the United States.

Donald Trump warns withholding aid to California if reelected

Donald Trump told his supporters that he would ensure Gavin Newsom cannot enact his policies on environment protection, that limit the amount of water Californians can use, if he is reinstated in the Oval Office after November 5.

"We’re going to take care of your water situation and we’ll force it down (Newsom’s) throat and we’ll say, ‘Gavin if you don’t do it we’re not giving you any of that fire money that we send you all the time for all the forest fires that you have’,” stated the business tycoon. "It’s not hard to do."

The former president has been accused of withholding federal assistance from California when he was in office. Former Trump administration official Mark Harvey reportedly told Politico that Trump had delayed approving disaster aid for the Democrat-leaning state when it was experiencing wildfires back in 2018.

Harvey said Trump changed his mind after he pulled voting results to show the then-POTUS that heavily damaged Orange County, California, had more Trump supporters than the entire state of Iowa.

Notably, in the last decade, California has also endured two severe droughts. Governor Newsom has presented a new water plan to adapt the state’s water system to the effects of global warming.

Internet calls Donald Trump an expert in 'quid pro quo'

Netizens reacting to Donald Trump's comments on the social media platform X slammed the GOP nominee over his threat to block federal aid to California.

"And this is why he'll never be president again. He wants to be a mob boss so bad…pathetic," wrote a user.

"Quid pro quo, huh? Trump's an expert on that," jibed another.

"Trump threatening to enact revenge on anyone who doesn’t support him! It’s disgraceful," commented a third.

"Trumpism is extortion not politics," noted a fourth.

"Everyone needs to think about the fact he’s making these threats while attempting to win an election. Just think what he will do if he doesn’t have to worry about winning an election!" observed a fifth.

"Trump must constantly keep his base riled up. Without hate, Trump is nothing," commented yet another.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.